What was the first Japanese car to be exported to the United States, in 1957?

The Toyota Crown was the first Japanese car exported to the United States, in 1957.

Toyota began exporting the Crown to the United States in 1957 through Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., which had been established that year. The Crown was a substantial sedan for its home market and represented Toyota’s first serious attempt to enter the American passenger-car market.

The car struggled in the United States because its engine and suspension were not well suited to American highway speeds and driving conditions. Toyota withdrew it from the American market after a relatively short period, while the smaller Tiara-based Corona later proved more successful.

The Crown continued to be important in Japan and other markets. Its American launch nevertheless marked a significant early step in the globalization of Japan’s automobile industry.