Launch of Toyota in Germany in 1971
The go-ahead for Toyota in Germany was given in Cologne in 1971.
With just 7 employees, Deutsche Toyota Vertriebs GmbH & KG started work in Cologne Braunsfeld on February 1, 1971. It was appointed general importer for Germany by the Toyota Motor Corporation. Initially, only the international bestsellers Corolla, Corona and Celica were offered from the extensive Toyota model range.
The Corolla was an almost endless success story. Launched in Japan in 1966, the world car also rolled into German dealerships in 1971. The two-door saloon cost 6,890 marks, while the coupé, which cost 800 marks more, was launched at the same time. The estate followed a year later for 7,795 marks. All versions offered in Germany were powered by a 1.2-liter petrol engine with 58 hp. By the end of 2010, Toyota had sold 37 million units of the repeatedly updated Corolla worldwide.
