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First Imported Automobile
Honda's First Corporate Office
Volvo PV444
Toyota Tiara
Lexus
1986 Acura Legend
Honda's Marysville Plant
1920s
Wealthy Americans purchase expensive ($15,000-$50,000) European cars like Mercedes and Hispano-Suiza, which they then import into America.
1949
The first international car, the Volkswagen Type 1, is sold in the USA.
1955
Volvo enters the American market with the PV444.
1958
The first Toyotas and Datsuns (Nissans) arrive in the United States.
1959
Honda enters the American market with the American Honda Motor Co., which created its own dealer network and begins selling motorcycles.
1964
The first Americanized Toyota – the Corona PT20 – is revealed.
1967
The Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA) is founded.
1968
VW's Type 1 is first referred to as a "beetle" in U.S. advertising.
1969
Honda's first automobile imported to the United States, the N600, is sold in Hawaii.
1970
AIADA is founded as the Volkswagen American Dealers Association.
1973
The oil crisis and subsequent emissions rules have more consumers considering imports.
1981
With one million vehicles sold, Volvo is the biggest imported brand in the U.S.
1982
Honda opens its Marysville, Ohio plant and becomes the first international carmaker to build vehicles in the U.S.
1986
Honda launches Acura, the first Japanese luxury car, in the US.
2000
The U.S. introduction of the Toyota Prius, the world's first mass-produced hybrid vehicle is introduced in the U.S.
2001
The Honda Accord is the best-selling car in America.
2007
Toyota passes General Motors as the world's largest car manufacturer.
2009
International nameplates occupy eight of the top ten sales spots in the government's Cash for Clunkers program.
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