: The story began in 1950 during the Korean War when the U.S. and Japanese National Police Reserve needed a rugged, domestically built 4WD vehicle.
: Originally called the "Toyota Jeep BJ," Toyota was forced to change the name in 1954 due to trademark claims by Willys-Overland (the owners of "Jeep"). Technical director Hanji Umehara chose " Land Cruiser " to sound as dignified as its competitor, the Land Rover .
: In 1951, test driver Ichiro Taira drove the Toyota BJ prototype up to the sixth checkpoint of Mount Fuji—a feat previously thought possible only by horseback.
The story of the is one of evolution from a rugged military prototype to a global icon of durability and adventure. Over its 70-year history, it has transformed into Toyota's longest-running nameplate, selling over 10 million units worldwide. The Military Origins (1950s)