Jil Sander

Fragrances listed by year of launch:. . Sander will buy her company back persist till today. I decided that one day I would make a similar kind of 'mobile', something more like an animal or insect than a car, which could do even better". Rumors that Prada Group plans to sell Jil Sander and that Ms. We have many classic shrines with stairs leading up to them, and these cars simply climbed up those steps. Sander herself had always been strictly against launching a secondary line or bridge collection. and how they could climb up and over obstacles.

Ms. "Growing up after the war, I was really impressed by the US Army personnel's Jeeps.. To this day, the house produces only two pricey high-end lines, one for women and one for men. Toyota designer Kazuo Morohoshi interviewed in the South African Car magazine explained the background to the birth of the Land Cruiser. Simons’ first women’s collection (he has never designed for women before) for the house of Jil Sander will be shown at the February 2006 fashion shows in Milan. In many places, the term Land Cruiser has almost become a generic term for an off-road vehicle. The Fall/Winter collection, however, received accolades from the critics (Reference: IHT). The Land Cruiser has been produced in a number of different versions, including successful flat bed pickup trucks predominantly used as technicals.

(Source: IHT). Design of the Land Cruiser began in 1950, and production began in 1953. Suzy Menkes, fashion director with the International Herald Tribune and the goddess of fashion criticism, said that some items in the collection “made exceptional pieces” but overall it “was not as strong as” before. Created as a competitor to other off-road vehicles such as the Land Rover and the Jeep, in many places the Land Cruiser is ubiquitous and has almost eliminated other 4WD vehicles from the market. Reactions by the press to the Spring/Summer show have been quite favorable but also reserved. Its widespread use as the transport of choice for militia units and irregular forces in the third world have served as a testament to their reliability and toughness. Sander and out of respect for the brand he said of the collection that he “wanted to strip it down so there was nothing that wasn't necessary” (Source: Style). The Land Cruiser is widely used around the world in areas which require durability, reliability and off road performance.

In the spirit of Ms. Originally, they were strictly utility vehicles, but they now are available as SUVs. His Spring/Summer 2006 men’s collection for Jil Sander was presented in Milan in late June 2005, the Fall/Winter 2006/07 collection opened Milan Fashion Week in mid-January 2006. The Toyota Land Cruiser is a series of popular four wheel drive automobiles from the Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan. In May 2005, it was announced that Raf Simons, a Belgian industrial designer who also has his own men’s label and is a professor at Vienna's University of Applied Arts, had become creative director for the women’s and men’s collection.
. The slim fits, so typical of Jil Sander, have meanwhile been adjusted to mainstream sizes. It features bodywork reminiscent of the classic FJ40 but is based on a Land Cruiser Prado/4Runner frame and has a modern V6 engine.

Sander’s departure an in-house design team was formed to take care of the collections. Early 2005 - Toyota exhibits the "FJ Cruiser" as a 2007 model to debut in early 2006. For the time after Ms. GX models now have seating for 8, dual airbags to supplement the ABS brakes and electrically adjustable rear view mirrors - a redesigned dashboard with satin silver trim is also included. The losses in 2004 had been almost € 30 million. Minor exterior changes have been made (essentially comprising of more chrome look plastic). The Prada Group still holds a 98% stake in the company which generated losses of € 10 million after taxes in the first half-year of 2005. 2002 - Face Lift 100 Series - Face Lift versions of the 100 Series GX and VX models were released in late 2002.

The corporation will be transformed into a holding company with the Italian subsidiaries taking over administrative and business duties. VX models also feature Downhill Assist Control and Hill-start Assist Control to enhance vehicle stability under difficult off-road conditions. All that is left in Germany is an office for press, distribution and marketing personnel, the staff at the boutiques as well as the Hamburg atelier for the women’s collection. Together with a Torsen limited slip central differential, Active Traction Control and Vehicle Stability Control provide outstanding mobility on almost any terrain. Subsequently, the glamorous Jil Sander showroom in Hamburg was closed, production was entirely moved to Italy and of more than 300 jobs only about 50 remained. Dual fuel tanks, with a total capacity of 180 litres, extend the Prado's range. But apparently the banks refused Bertelli the necessary loans. The centre of gravity has been reduced by 30 mm, ensuring better stability.

Sander herself had made heavy investments, so that Jil Sander AG could be sold from the Prada Group, already heavily indebted itself. A new ladder frame chassis, combined with a revised suspension provide outstanding durability and off-road ability. It is rumored that it had been Bertelli’s turn to financially support the company, after Ms. The new Prado's body has 60% more torsional rigidity, leading to improved off- and on-road performance, lower noise and better quality. Bertelli. Both models now come with 17 inch (432 mm) wheels limiting tyre choice and enough electronics to build your own Federation Death Star. Sander permanently resigned from her post again after insurmountable differences with Mr. From April 2003, a new 4 litre V6 petrol engine will be available, delivering 183 kW and 382 N·m.

But in November 2004, Ms. This oil burner produces 96 kW and 343 N·m of torque. Everyone was certain that with the spirit of the company back in the house things would get well again. 2002 - All New Prado Released (120 Series station wagon simply Toyota Land Cruiser in the UK market) - the new Prado was released late in 2002 in both GX and VX turbo diesel form utilising the an intercooled version of the 3 litre KZ-TE engine found in the Hilux. She designed two collections that were both shown in Milan, she altered Vukmirovic’s existing sketches for the men’s collection, she redesigned some of her boutiques and even sat down to go through the books herself. The Troopie is still not available in South Africa but appears very common in Mozambique, Lesotho and is not unusual in Botswana. She re-invented herself. Optional front and rear diff lockers.

Her designs, bearing the unmistakable Jil Sander signature with a more feminine look, were loved by customers and critics alike. (As for the VX and Australian GXL but without the intercooler) snorkel is standard. Her sensational comeback was celebrated unanimously and with much fanfare by the international press. 2002 - Turbo Troopie introduced into Australia - (79 Series station wagon) with 1 HD-FTE 4.2 litre 6 cylinder 122 kW 389 N·m 24 valve turbo diesel. Supposedly, Bertelli had begged her to come back. 2001 - Upgrade to high spec IFS Cruisers, various trim and equipment enhancements. Sander, whose heart was probably bleeding when she looked at what Prada had made of her fashion house, returned to the company she had founded more than 30 years before as head designer and partner in May 2003, after her noncompete clause had expired. 2000 - High spec Cruisers and 90 Series (Prados/Colorados) get active traction control (Active TRAC), vehicle skid control equipment (VSC), and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) systems as standard equipment in some markets.

To everyone’s surprise Ms. Total Global production to date 3.72 million. It was said that with rapidly sinking sales the Prada Group had to go to great expenses just to keep the house of Jil Sander going. 2000 - 50th Anniversary of the Cruiser total sales of Cruisers this year is over 191,000. The company had been in the red since 2002. The rear leaf springs are longer for more travel and a better ride. Pressured by Prada to cater to a wider audience, Vukmirovic came up with commercially viable sportswear collections in 2002 and 2003 that drove away longstanding Jil Sander patrons and failed to attract new customers. Some of those 200 mm are taken up in stretching the cab by 120 mm to increase interior room.

He unsuccessfully tried to follow in her footsteps. 1999 - The wheel-base has been extended by 200 mm to 3180 mm (125 in) putting it up there with the Defender 130. Sander’s successor by Bertelli. Australian Troopies use disks - more effective and less prone to sand ingress, which plays havoc with brake drums. Milan Vukmirovic, a former Colette and Gucci designer, had been installed as Ms. The South African version to this day still has drums at the back. Sander was able to indulge in extensive travelling, sailing, going to the opera and taking care of her gardens after her resignation but the fashion house, not surprisingly, faltered without the designer who defined it. It now gains the 100's live front axle and coil springs, which also brings a wider track and four pot caliper front disc brakes.

Thus, for the first time in many years, Ms. Indeed the 79 still has leaf springs at the rear. Bertelli insisted on giving-up the contributary workshops in Germany in favor of the shops in Italy owned by Prada. 1999 - The 70 Series had persisted with leaf springs all round for a lot longer than its main competitors — the Nissan Patrol and the Land Rover Defender and Discovery. She, an uncompromising perfectionist, had baulked at using less luxurious materials and at bringing the traditionally slim fits in line with standard sizes, he had demanded drastic cost cuts and a more affordable mainstream approach. The diesel is matched to a new manual transmission from the 100 Series with and a shorter final drive ratio — to improve performance. Sander unexpectedly left after confrontations with Prada CEO Patrizio Bertelli, a quick-tempered Italian businessman. 1999 - Toyota Australia launched the Land Cruiser 78-series, updating the trusty, not to say rustic, 70-series with the addition of a coil-sprung front axle and a choice of petrol and diesel motors from the 100 series — the trusty 1HZ diesel (96 kW at 3800 rpm, 285 N·m at 2200 rpm) and 1FZ-FE petrol engines (165 at 4600 rpm, 387 N·m at 3600 rpm).

Six months later, in January 2000, Ms. 1999 - High-spec Cruisers get independent rear automatic climate control system for added convenience and passenger comfort. Sander needed a financially strong partner, remained creative designer and became chairwoman in the new joint venture. This vehicle in petrol guise won Australian 4WD Monthly 4x4 of the year award for 3 years in a row until Toyota dropped the petrol-fueled version due to forthcoming stricter emission control regulations. Ms. The South African spec GX is supplied standard with 3 diff locks. In 1999 Prada Group bought a 75% share in her company. The Australian Standard wagon with part time 4x4, manually lockable free-wheeling front hubs, plastic carpets, no ABS, manual windows and barn door rear — a very basic utility vehicle.

Less and less people were willing or able to pay the label’s notoriously high prices: a simple white cotton T-shirt would sell for $150, and even enthusiastic Sander fans were beginning to long for some variety. Badged as the RV and the South African model badged as the GX (full time 4x4 with ABS very similar to Australian RV wagon). Sander to concentrate more on the creative design rather than the business, resulted in decreasing sales. 1998 - Toyota released solid axle versions of the 100 Series for markets with great tracts of wild territory including Australia. The economic crisis in Asia, a newly launched men’s collection that had been postponed several times before in 1997 and supposedly a desire with Ms. These 100 Series equipped with an independent front suspension were initially available with the 4.7 L V8 and later on, the 1HD-FTE 4.2 L 6-cylinder 24 valve 151 kW, 430 N·m turbo diesel. From the mid-1990s on, however, things changed and later continued to go downhill. Indeed the British, American and other markets only get 100 Series with an independent front suspension, and still do to this day.

and four floors. Independent front suspension appeared for the first time in the large Land Cruiser (first appearing in the 90 Series and Prado), causing complete consternation amongst purists: "We will never forgive Toyota for going independent at the front with the mighty 4.2 turbo-diesel" - Australian 4WD Monthly. At the Paris store, opened in 1993, the Jil Sander collections could be shown on more than 9000 sqf. Displacing 4.7 L, the DOHC engine produced 173 kW and 434 N·m on the flywheel. Sander personally overlooked the design of her stores and strict guidelines were implemented for the sales staff on how to behave and where to stand in the boutique. At launch it featured the first V8 engine in a Toyota car — the 32-valve 4.7 L 2UZ-FE engine. Ms. It is nevertheless more fuel efficient, generates fewer emissions and is considerably quicker.

Her tremendous success overseas resulted in marvellous flagship stores in Tokyo and New York, among many others, whose interior furnishings gobbled up millions. The 100 Series Land Cruiser was notably larger, heavier, structurally more solid, substantially more powerful and with better brakes than the 80 Series. She used the new capital to expand in Asia and North America. 1998 - Toyota introduced the 100 Series Land Cruiser station wagon, to take over the 80 Series. Her fashion house was among the first to venture on such a step. Troop Carriers are seen almost ubiquitously in television news, which are used as aid vehicles, by the UN, as ambulances and such like in the most rugged inhospitable parts of the world. Sander decided in 1989 to go public with her company. The station wagon version was known affectionately as the "Troopie" in Australia, with the name derived from the term Troop Carrier as a result of its military utilitarian heritage.

Ms. 1996 - The 70 Series still remains the workhorse utility vehicle of choice in the world. Sales were steadily increasing, new fragrances wered added to the cosmetics line, and the label's luxurious minimalism proved to be the hit of the late 1980's and early 1990's. Many Land Cruiser purists were outraged at the Prado, saying that the Land Cruiser had strayed from its orignial ethos. Initially much to the regret of the German media, the decision was the right thing to do. All Prados had an independent front suspension — wishbones and torsion bars giving a better on road ride. In 1985, it was decided that her collections would be shown in Milan to more efficiently tackle the international markets. The Prado was available in three-door short wheelbase and five-door long wheelbase versions with a choice of the 5VZ-FE petrol engine (24-valve V6, 3378 cc, 132 kW, 298 N·m) or 1KZ-TE turbodiesel (4-cyl, 2982 cc, 92 kW, 295 N·m).

Later, licenses would be given for eyewear and leather accessory lines. The Prado was clearly aimed directly at the Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun in the UK) niche, which has very successfully cornered a good chunk of the burgeoning SUV leisure market. The internationally successful cooperation with Lancaster Cosmetics allowed her financially to run ads in glamorous magazines on a large scale for her fashion. 1996 - Introduction of the 90 Series Prado (known as the Colorado in some markets such as the UK). In the years after 1978, she revolutionized the industry by marketing her first perfume with a campaign that prominently featured her own face. 1996 - All American and British 80 Series models are given anti-lock brakes and airbags as standard equipment. Sander was way ahead of her time. 1996 - In the Granada-to-Dakar Rally, a pair of Land Cruisers finished first and second in the unmodified production class.

With her luxurious simplicity and understatement Ms. The 80 Series VX is still highly desirable to this day. In the late 1970s and early 1980s, when the fashion world was dominated by lavish, garishly colorful and glitzy Dynasty-style designs by the likes of Claude Montana and his broad-shouldered leather look, Jil Sander’s minimalist, sophisticated and strict collections with a focus on fabric quality came close to a revolution in the fashion world and were not accepted next to the, from today’s point of view, vulgar stylishness on the Parisian catwalks. It was not avaliable with intercooler, though many fit them themselves. Showing her collection in Paris in 1975 proved a complete failure, though. The turbodiesel model gained four-valve heads and a power boost to 125 kW. She has been described as the Queen of Less, Cashmere-Queen, Master of Minimalism, Cool Blonde, Gentle-Jil or Fashion Reductionist. 1995 - Driver and passenger side airbags, adjustable shoulder-belt anchors introduced in some models together with anti-lock brakes.

The prices for her clothes have always been horrendous. 1993 - The introduction of the turbodiesel now sporting a 24-valve, DOHC inline six-cylinder engine displacing 4.2 L. She created the so-called onion look (Zwiebel-Look) layering various pieces of clothing in one outfit. Still produced today, the 1FZ-FE engine was a DOHC 4076 cc unit peaking at 160 kW and 372 N·m. The fact that her creations were coordinates which could all be easily combined with each other became a popular characteristic. 1992 - Petrol unit replaced by the new 1FZ-FE petrol engine. Her trademark look, a somewhat New Look for women conquering executive positions in the 1980s, was that of a perfectly cut pantsuit, a form-fitting simple but elegant coat or a slim blouse made of the most luxurious materials in plain grey, black, blue or white leaving out any unnecessary details, extravagant ornaments or loud colors. 1990 - 2 million sales mark is passed.

And, with few ups and downs, she founded her eponymous fashion house, Jil Sander GmbH in 1968, at the age of 24. Later the same year, wagon versions had a complete makeover. She started out selling fashion designed by Thierry Mugler or Sonia Rykiel and also a few of her own designs. 1990 - Introduction of new-generation diesel engines, the five-cylinder, SOHC 1PZ and six-cylinder, SOHC 1HZ diesel — still current with minor modifications to this day. Having spent two years as an exchange student at University College in Los Angeles, she worked as a fashion editor at German women's magazine Petra before opening her first boutique in a Hamburg suburb in 1967. The differential was lockable in 4HI and automatically locked in 4LO. Jil Sander, born Heidemarie Jiline Sander in Wesselburen near Hamburg, Germany, on 27 November 1943, grew up with her mother near Hamburg and later studied textile design in Krefeld from where she graduated as a textile engineer in 1963. From 1992 onwards, vehicles with anti-lock brakes had a viscous coupling that sent a maximum of 30% torque to the non-slipping axle.

. Series 80s produced between 1990 and 1991 had an open center differential which was lockable in 4HI and automatically locked in 4LO.
. In Africa and Australia, a part-time system was still available, with the South African version badged the GX. Her work descends from that of Coco Chanel, as opposed to the bleeding-edge esthetic of Lagerfeld and Gaultier or the trendiness of sportswear design, as exemplified by the like of Giorgio Armani and Calvin Klein. 1989 - All 80 Series Cruisers sold in North America and Europe now have a full-time four wheel drive system. Her minimalist trademarks include striking silhouettes, high-end fabrics, and meticulous detail, emphasizing quality over flash. Initially the 80 was offered with a choice of three engines, the 3F-E six-cylinder petrol unit, the 1HD-T direct injection turbodiesel (120 kW, 362 N·m), and a normally aspirated 6-cylinder diesel.

It is also the name of the fashion house she founded, Jil Sander AG. Solid or beam axles front and rear, introduction of coil springs and trailing arms. Jil Sander is a German fashion designer known for understated and sleek designs, luxurious fabrics and her perfume line. 1989 - 80 Series station wagon introduced — replacing 60 Series.
. It was also available in a G version, allowing it to be sold in Japan as a passenger car. 2004 Jil Sander Sport (M). 1988 - The petrol engine was uprated, with the new 3F unit displacing 3955 cc and generating 108 kW.

2004 Jil Sander Sport (W). The diesel engine was offered in the 60 Series luxury VX version generating 100 kW. 2004 Jil Sander Man Pure (new edition). 1985 - 70 Series diesel introduced. 2003 Jil Sander Woman Pure(new edition). 1984 - The first Land Cruiser with an automatic transmission, the first Japanese four wheel drive vehicle to have one. 2002 Jil Sander Sun (M). The 70 Series was initially only available with the 2F petrol engine.

2000 Jil Sander Sensations (W). The 70 Series also fulfills its users expectations and soon becomes a classic itself. 1998 Jil Sander Sun Body Fragrance (W). 1984 - 70 Series introduced — (pickups and station wagons) replacing the stalwart classic 40 Series. 1997 Jil (W). Specialist suppliers of aftermarket parts and restorers who return old FJ40s to better-than-new condition replace Toyota dealers as the main source of Land Cruiser expertise. 1989 Jil Sander Feeling Man. In America, these classic Land Cruisers shrink in numbers each year, but clean examples rise in value.

1993 Jil Sander Background (M). 1983 - The final year of sales for the FJ40. 1991 Jil Sander Man 3. The 60 Series was introduced to South Africa in the 1981 Toyota 1000 km desert race, when a stock Land Cruiser showed its ability to compete on equal terms with competition off-roaders through the punishing wilds of Botswana. 4 (W). The new model also came with a five-speed transmission. 1990 Jil Sander No. A high-roof version was introduced, and a bigger diesel, the 3980 cm³ 2H engine, was added.

1989 Jil Sander Sun (W). 1981 - Land Cruiser sales surpassed a million. 1988 Jil Sander Man 2. Consequenlty, the FJ60 owes much of its wide spread use,especially in Africa and Australia, to its reliability. 1985 Jil Sander Woman III. Famed for its reliability, it is not unusual to find Fj60's with a 2F engine running strong past 300,000 miles. 1984 Jil Sander Color Pure (decorative cosmetics). The FJ60 powerplant was a tuned-up version of the petrol (2F engine) and diesel (3B engine).

1983 Jil Sander Woman 2. These comforts included:front disc-brakes, air-conditioning, rear-heater, and an upgraded interior. 1982 Jil Sander Man. As a result, the Fj60 was given a variety of comforts that its predessesor, the FJ55, did not have. 1981 Jil Sander Bath and Beauty (W). While still retaining the rugged off-road characteristics of previous Land Cruisers, the FJ60 was designed to compete in the emerging SUV market. 1981 Jil Sander Man Pure (discontinued). 1980 - The 2nd-generation station wagon was introduced.

1980 Jil Sander Woman Pure (discontinued). Bodys switched over to the new floorpan in 1979, discbrakes for all and a 3B engine for the Diesel. 1978 Jil Sander Woman. Diesel models did follow 1978 with a B Diesel engine. She lives with her longtime companion Dickie Mommsen. 1978 - The First FJ40 and FJ55 models were sold officially in Germany with a 2F engine and drumbrakes in the front axle. She is also said to have bought an apartment in Berlin-Willmersdorf and supposedly spends most of her freetime on her favorite leisure pursuit, gardening. In Japan, the Land Cruiser had almost always been available with a diesel engine with an original displacement of 3.2 L, reintroduced a 3.0 L in 1976, and updated to 3.2 L again in 1979 — but was never officially available in the U.S.

Sander currently resides at her estate in Hamburg where she also maintains a city office. 1975 - The 3.8 L engine was replaced by a larger and more powerful 4.2 L version. Ms. Over the following years, the diesel engine was improved, eventually evolving into the 2B (3168 cc, 69 kW, 16 N·m) and the 3B (3431 cc, 73 kW, 226 N·m). For her notorious (and sometimes ridiculous) habit of mixing German and English words into gibberish sentences when being interviewed in German in the 1990s she was awarded the title of Sprachpanscher ( Sprache = language, panschen = to adulterate) by the Institute of German Language (Verein Deutsche Sprache) in 1997. Its introduction boosted Japanese home market sales, as the smaller engine put the diesel-powered Land Cruiser in a lower tax category than its 4.0 L petrol-fuelled sister. She would rarely give interviews and not talk about her private life, a trait that only cultivated the myth about her person, and at the same time she would buy the rights to pictures about her in order to be able to control her public image and meticulously plan all the steps in her company where she was used to being the boss. A four-cylinder unit displacing 2997 cc, it delivered 63 kW at 3600 rpm and 196 N·m at 2200 rpm.

Sander was known for both her shy appearances in public and her power mania trying to bring everything under her control behind the scenes. 1974 - The real diesel era for the Land Cruiser began this year, as the B-type diesel engine was fitted to a new BJ version of the 40 Series. Ms. 1973 - 300,000th Land Cruiser sold Worldwide. Sander was awarded the Order of Merit by the Federal Republic of Germany for her achievements in the fashion industry. 1972 - 200,000th Land Cruiser sold Worldwide. Ms. 1968 - 100,000th Land Cruiser sold worldwide.

1967 - Introduction of the first Land Cruiser diesel for export, an export-only model fitted with the H-type 3576 cm³ engine. The 50 Series is eventually to get a more powerful (4.2 L 2F-type) six-cylinder petrol engine with outputs of 104 kW at 3600 rpm and 294 N·m at 1800 rpm. 1967 - The 50 Series has a longer, 2700 mm wheelbase model, designed with an eye to the North American and Australian markets, where it established the Cruiser's reputation for robustness and reliability over and above the competition - a reputation that continues to this day. The 50 Series or FJ55 — sometimes called 'the Moose', was produced alongside the 40 Series.

1967 - Introduction of a new station wagon Land Cruiser. The Land Cruiser was the best selling Toyota in the US. 1961-1965 - Global production passed the 50,000 mark. Mechanically, the 40 was given a new, uprated 3878 cc version of the F-type engine (now producing 93 kW) and the Land Cruiser at last, receives a proper set of low range gears.

Many of the changes related to production techniques, with Toyota having procured new presses. 1961 - The 20 Series is upgraded to the now classic 40 Series. 1959 - First Toyota vehicles exported to Australia - the initial lot are Land Cruisers for use on the Snowy Mountains Scheme. From this year, an even longer (2,650 mm wheelbase) model, the FJ35V, is produced in both wagon and van body styles.

1958 - The first hardtop Land Cruiser was introduced. The 20 Series still had no low range, only the extra low 1st gear but had synchromesh on the third and fourth ratios. The interior of the vehicle was also made more comfortable, the extra space achieved by moving the engine 120 mm forward. Under the bonnet, it sported the newer, larger, more powerful F-Series six-cylinder engine (3878 cc, 78 kW).

Designed to have more civilian appeal for export than the military-oriented BJ, more stylish bodywork, a better ride thanks to longer, four-plate leaf springs which had been adapted from those of the Toyota Crown saloon. 1955 - The 20 Series Land Cruiser was introduced alongside the BJ. 1955 - The original 85 hp (63 kW) diesel engine was replaced with a 125 hp (93 kW) F-series 3.8 L petrol unit. That is why I decided to call it 'Land Cruiser'," he recalls in an interview with South African Car Magazine.

I had to come up with a name for our car that would not sound less dignified than those of our competitors. "In England we had another competitor - Land Rover. Technical director Hanji Umehara pondered over a new name. Toyota apparently believed that 'Jeep' was a generic name for a four wheel drive vehicle.

The manufacturer of the Jeep, Willys-Overland, objects to Toyota's use of the name 'Jeep', as the BJ was referred to as the 'Toyota Jeep'. 1954 - The Land Cruiser name was born. 1953 - Full-volume production of the BJ began with assembly undertaken at the Toyota Automatic Loom Works Ltd, and painting done at Arakawa Bankin Kogyo KK, later to be known as ARACO, which is now an affiliate of TMC. This acts as a catalyst for subsequent orders from the Forestry and Agricultural Agencies, together with several Japanese electrical power utilities.

Suitably impressed by the feat, the NPA promptly placed an order for 289 units, adopting the BJ as their official patrol car. The test was overseen by the National Police Agency. Fuji, the first vehicle to get this far. 1951 - In July 1951, Toyota's test driver Ichiro Taira drove the next incarnation of the BJ prototype up to checkpoint 6 of Mt.

1951 - Toyota loses a National Police Reserve Force tender, but Toyota had the confidence and tenacity to continue development of the prototype with a view to export markets which was part of the vision and strategy of Kiichiro Toyoda, Toyota's founder. Unlike the Jeep however, the BJ had no low-range transfer case, making do with an extra-low first gear with a 5.53:1 ratio. The BJ had a part-time four wheel drive system like the Jeep. The BJ was somewhat bigger than the Jeep, and considerably more powerful thanks to its 2.2 L four-cylinder L-head engine generating 61 kW at 3000 rpm and 215 N·m at 1600 rpm.

Like the British Landrover Series 1 that appeared in 1949, it has a strong resemblance to the American World War II Willys Jeep. 1951 - The BJ prototype is born in January 1951 called the 'Toyota Jeep'. 1950 - In the second half of the year, Toyota got an opportunity to tender for a contract for a Jeep-type vehicle to be procured by the Japanese National Police Reserve Force. Toyota did not respond to this tender.

put out a request to tender for 100 vehicles - the exact requirement spec is unknown. The U.S. 1950 - The Korean War created demand for a military light utility vehicle, an updated Jeep, on Japan's doorstep. The US Army Jeep arrived in the Pacific in May 1943, so allegations of the later BJ being copied from the Jeep are open to question.

It had a folding windscreen. The truck featured an upright front grille, flat front wheel arches that angled down and back like the later FJ40, and headlights that were mounted above the wheel arches on either side of the radiator. The only known pictorial representations are some rough sketches. There are no known surviving photographs of the AK10.

It was not a success and production run went to Nissan. Toyota developed a prototype, the 2-ton AK10 in 1942. 1941 - The Japanese government tasked Toyota to produce a light truck for their military campaign.