1st Toyota Dealership

[JohnnyC]

I think most people can agree that Toyota of Hollywood at 6000 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, CA 90028 was the first dealership. And it totally makes sence to see it attached to a Ford Dealership...since Ford and Toyota were in the buisness of each others buisness


see pic...i am sure you have all seen:

 

[JohnnyC]

but...

 

[JohnnyC]

San Diego?


"Mr. John A. Rose started business in San Diego in 1948.

Franchises have included Renault, Peugeot, BMW, American Motors, Isuzu, Subaru, Roots Group/Sunbeam Tigers, Triumph, Clenet and (of course) Toyota.

Other dealers laughed when he said that he was going to take on a Japanese car line (Toyota). They told him the company wouldn't last. Mr. Rose didn't listen and became America's First Toyota's dealer.

The first Toyotas (Toyopets) were underpowered and too small for the American public. They lacked performance and really didn't fit the features Americans wanted.

When Toyota came out with the Corona, and other Toyota products became more reliable, everything changed. Now the rest is "history."

Around the mid-1960's Mr. Rose decided to drop the other franchises and concentrate on Toyota.

Throughout the 44 years, as a Toyota dealer, Rose Toyota was the recipient of many awards (President's Award, President's Truck Club, Parts Society, Sales Society, Service Society and Customer Relations awards…just to name a few)."

 

[JohnnyC]

two more of rose

Looking Back pic:
Upper Left: John Rose helps hang the dealership's new sign in October 1962.

Lower Left: "MOST WATCHABLE IMPORT OF 1965" award was won by the Toyota Crown sedan at the International Society of Girl Watchers' annual convention in San Diego, Calif., last weekend. Evelyn Hippansteel (pictured above) won the "Watchable of the Year" title. Accepting the automobile award is John A. Rose, the Toyota dealer in San Diego representing the world's third largest producer of commercial vehicles, Japan's giant Toyota Motor Company. The only other commercial manufacturer to win a SIGW award at the convention was Kraus Originals, exclusive makers of casual footwear for women. The ISGW award is the 17th major award won by the Toyota Crown line of passenger vehicles since its debut last October at the Los Angeles International Automobile show.

Upper Right: John A. Rose Imports Main Entrance February 1964.

Lower Right: John A. Rose (on right) with new lot display showing the hill climbing prowess of the Toyota Land Cruiser.


award pic:
"John A. Rose, President, Rose Toyota, San Diego, Calif., accepts the President's Award from Shotaro Kamiya, President, Toyota Motor Sales, Ltd., in 1963. Also pictured, Seisi Kato, Chairman, Toyota Motor Sales, Ltd. "

 

[JohnnyC]

I still think it's Hollywood...and Rose came a short time after

Hollywood 1st and Rose 2nd?

Hollywood: HOLLYWOODTOYOTA.COM

Rose: Toyota San Diego used car San Diego San Diego new car trucks auto dealer sales service parts finance La Mesa Lemon Grove El Cajon California

 

[foxfab]

A-1 claims to be the first east coast dealer, not sure what year that was. They were located in East haven then. They have a pic of the dealership in East Haven in the showroom and there are crowns lined up. No Cruisers in the pic though.

 

[hatman406080]

1961 ad.in FARM JOURNAL
seats 7 climbs formidable 54%grades speeds up to 85mph 6 forward speeds 2 reverse power take off equipment option is tough, reliable and economical-up to 28mpg on regular gas. you can use it and misuse it until the cows come home

 

[JohnnyC]

hatman406080 nice pic...do you have a higher res of it?

also...post that here:
https://forum.ih8mud.com/40-55-series-tech/194207-all-land-cruisers-manuals-factory-lit-etc.html

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

This seemed more dealer related than history:

Become a Toyota Dealer! From the 1960 Automotive News Almanac. Act now while choice franchise areas are still available!

 

[Cruiser_Nerd]

And on the back, a bonus, import sales and registration totals for 1958 and 1959. They're close, but diffferent from what we've seen before. Not surprising they would be higher as it's a trade magazine.

Pretty funny moved from 34th to 33rd for 1959 behind such notable imports as NSU, Borgward, Goliath, Lloyd................kicked butt on Rolls Royce, Skoda, Goggomobil and......................Rover.

 

[JohnnyC]

cool stuff

 

[hatman406080]

Field & Stream september1971
Vinyl top $2890, hardtop $3245, station wagon $3810

 

[JohnnyC]

1st toyota dealership in Georgia was "Toyota South" opened in 1967.

Toyota South in Morrow GA, offering new and used Toyotas, a Toyota Dealer and 2007 Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid, Yaris, FJ Cruiser, Tundra, and Rav4 Toyota South sells Cars, Trucks, SUVs, and Toyota Hybrid vehicles

 

[JohnnyC]

1st toyota dealership in New York was "Safe Toyota" opened in 1964.

"Manfredi's career began at Safe Rambler Motors in Brooklyn where he worked as a mechanic in between day studies at Automotive High School and night classes in automatic transmission repair. In 1964, seven years after graduating from high school, Manfredi purchased the dealership where he worked as a teenager. Already an astute businessman, he transformed Safe Rambler into Safe Toyota; the first Toyota dealership in New York and recent winner of the Toyota President's Award for outstanding levels of performance in all areas of operation."

Manfredi Auto Mall: New & Preowned Cars, Trucks, SUVs in Staten Island

 

[JohnnyC]

"Linda Tenney, owner of Linda Tenney Toyota, America's first Toyota dealership. "I see some real positive changes coming to Lake City."

Tenney says her dad started the dealership and in 1958 became the first in the country to sell Japanese cars called Toyopets."

I think its more likely it was the first in Washington we know better

 

[JohnnyC]

1st toyota dealership in Utah was "Tony Divino Toyota of Riverdale" what was the name at the time and what year?

Tony Divino Toyota Riverdale UT

 

[JohnnyC]

1st toyota dealership in Florida was "Precision Toyota" was established in 1964 on North Florida Avenue, in Tampa, Florida.

 

[JohnnyC]

these are just what i have found if there is any discrepency...please post

 

[JohnnyC]

1st toyota dealership in North Carolina was "Rice Toyota" opened in 1965.

Garson Rice, who as a young Marine fought the Japanese at Guadalcanal during World War II and later made a fortune selling Japanese cars.

In 1965, when many Americans associated anything made in Japan as junk, Rice started Rice Toyota on Battleground Avenue, the first Toyota dealership in the South.

He sold only 120 cars the first year.

Business picked up considerably. In 1979, Rice broke a world record by selling 1,089 new Toyotas in a month, as well as 300 used cars. His Toyota dealership ranked as one of the nation's largest.

Rices Toyota in Greensboro NC, offering new and used Toyotas, a Toyota Dealer 2007 Toyota Camry, Camry Hybrid, Yaris, FJ Cruiser, Tundra, and RAV4 Rices Toyota sells Cars, Trucks, SUVs, and Toyota Hybrid Vehicles

 

[Frenchy Dehoux]

Good information I really appreciate it. My 1958 Toyopet was sold at Periat Desoto / Buick dealership in the Bay area San Mateo California and I have the original license plate frame from the dealer.


Thanks
Frenchy