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With a history of nearly 70 years, there are few off-road vehicles as iconic as the Toyota Land Cruiser, and with the newest iteration around the corner, a jaunt down memory lane seems only appropriate.
Beginning its journey in 1951, the Toyota Jeep BJ as it was initially known, was born out of the necessity to tackle different terrains across the globe.
However, it soon came under fire from Willys’ legal team, as the American automaker claimed ownership of the name ‘Jeep’ – accusing the Japanese automaker Toyota of infringing on its trademark.
In response, the name Land Cruiser was born and began selling in 1954. However, it did not make its debut in Bahrain until 1967, when Ebrahim K Kanoo, the sole distributor of Toyota vehicles in Bahrain, unveiled the reliable on-road and off-road beast in the kingdom.
“The Toyota Land Cruiser is synonymous with the Middle East because of its proven track record as a reliable family vehicle, built for all terrains,” an EK Kanoo spokesperson told GulfWeekly.
“In Bahrain it is more than a status symbol. It is treated as a cherished family heirloom, often passed from one generation to the next, all the while building new memories for all.
“In 1967, Ebrahim Khalil Kanoo debuted the first 55-Series Land Cruiser Wagon; a comfortable, passenger-friendly version of the then existing 40-Series.”
Since then, the Land Cruiser has become a household name in the region, and the longest continuously running nameplate in Toyota history, with more than 10 million units sold around the world.
The vehicle has been tested by tackling technological feats that were previously only possible on horseback, replicating a samurai warrior’s legendary climb to the Shinto temple at the top of Mount Atago, and driving up the old pilgrim route to the sixth station on Mount Fuji.
As Toyota evolved its line-up of vehicles over the years, the Land Cruiser has always held a soft spot in the Middle East due to its excellent handling of off-road conditions, luggage and passenger capacity, making it the ideal vehicle for long road trips with family and friends.
As its popularity increased, so did its features. The company introduced more luxurious materials and technologies to the home staple, making owners feel unstoppable while remaining regal in the highly respected local status symbol.
“If you ask Toyota or Land Cruiser enthusiasts, each person will tell you their favourite model based on the memories they created with it,” the spokesperson added.
“The Land Cruiser has also gone through several modifications and changes, and every model has been successful in its own right.
“The simplest proof of this is that you will still see the older models, as far back as the 80 series launched in 1989, on the roads today. Not many manufacturers can attest to their vehicles surviving three decades.”
