From a humble vehicle lineup in the 1950s to a diverse range of cars, trucks, and SUVs today, Toyota has helped shape how drivers work, play, and explore. At Jeff Wyler Toyota of Clarksville, we're proud to help drivers learn about the rich history of Toyota and how their vehicles have continued to evolve over the years. Explore our favorite highlights below, or contact our team to receive additional information.
Historic Toyota Milestones
With plenty of unique landmarks, innovations, and achievements, Toyota vehicles have a storied past. From the expansion of production to the development of exclusive models, the Toyota lineup has evolved to provide drivers near Jeffersonville, IN, with quality vehicles. Some of our favorite highlights by decade include:
1950s and 1960s
In 1958, Toyota began selling vehicles in the United States, including the Toyopet Crown and the iconic Toyota Land Cruiser. Toyopet Crown sales were discontinued in 1961, with the Land Cruiser continuing to gain popularity. In 1965, the Toyota Corona debuted as the first Toyota vehicle designed for America, followed by the Toyota Corolla in 1968. Entering the 70s, Toyota began to win hearts by selling 95,000 vehicles in 1968 and 150,000 vehicles in 1969.
1970s
Over the 70s and 80s, Toyota continued to grow with new dealerships, models, and manufacturing locations across the country. Key highlights include the 1971 Toyota Celica ST two-door sports coupe and the 1979 Toyota Celica Supra that pushed performance further. 1972 also saw the introduction of the Toyota Hilux pickup truck, which was redesigned and rebadged as the Toyota Truck in 1975.
1980s
1982 marked the introduction of the beloved Toyota Camry, which added an economy-focused midsize sedan to the lineup. In 1984, the Toyota Pickup and Toyota 4Runner debuted, bolstering vehicle options focused on work and adventure. In 1984, the Toyota MR-2 sports car was introduced as a mid-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car with a focus on lightweight handling. Shortly after, the 1986 Toyota Supra became a stand-alone model with a turbocharged engine that produced up to 232 horsepower, raising the bar for Toyota performance vehicles. In 1988, Toyota started producing new Toyota Camry models a short drive away from Louisville, KY.
1990s
In the 1990s, Toyota began to take off with the introduction of new vehicles and features, including the unique 1990 Toyota Previa minivan and the 1993 Toyota T100 truck. In 1994, the Toyota Avalon entered the lineup as the new flagship sedan, with an available front bench seat to improve seating capacity to six. 1994 also saw the introduction of the Toyota RAV4, a versatile compact utility vehicle with available four-wheel drive that continues to be popular today among Sellersburg drivers. Entering 1999, the Toyota Solara two-door coupe went on sale, with convertible models following in 2000.
2000s
2000 was the first model year for the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup truck, delivering enhanced towing and hauling performance over the Toyota T100. In 2001, the Toyota Highlander debuted as a mid-size SUV with flexible cargo space and an available third-row, alongside the 2001 Toyota Sequoia with enhanced off-road performance, a larger full-size chassis, and premium interior amenities. By 2006, Toyota had opened its 10th North American production plant to continue producing Toyota Tundra trucks. Popular Toyota models that debuted during the 2000s include the Toyota Matrix, Toyota FJ Cruiser, and the Toyota Camry Hybrid, which is a stellar choice for drivers near New Albany, IN.
2010s
Through the 2010s, Toyota continued to develop and refine vehicles that provide affordability, reliability, and efficiency. Key enhancements included new Toyota Prius models, Toyota Mirai hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, expanded hybrid vehicle offerings, and the 2016 Toyota Yaris. Plus, Toyota Indiana produced its four millionth vehicle in 2015, with a total of two million vehicles produced in North America for the year.
2020s
Through the 2020s, Toyota has placed a significant focus on expanding hybrid and electric vehicle accessibility. New models since 2020 include the all-electric Toyota bZ4X, Toyota Prius Prime plug-in hybrid, Toyota RAV4 Prime plug-in hybrid, Toyota Grand Highlander, Toyota Corolla Hybrid, Toyota Corolla Cross, Toyota Crown, Toyota Crown Signia, Toyota GR86, Toyota GR Corolla, and Toyota GR Supra. In addition, the Toyota Camry became exclusively hybrid-powered in 2025, helping drivers achieve impressive fuel economy without sacrificing performance, style, or comfort.
Test Drive New Toyota Models in Clarksville, IN
When you're ready to get hands-on with new Toyota models and learn what features match your lifestyle, we'll be here to answer questions and give recommendations. Start shopping our new Toyota inventory from the comfort of your home, or get in touch with us to schedule a test drive in Clarksville, IN.
