Toyota in Canada: 60 Years, 60 Pictures From Coast to Coast (Part 1) For this first of two galleries, the journey from St. John's, Newfoundland to North Bay, Ontario.

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Toyota Grand Highlander

Events like this simply wouldn't happen were it not for the dedicated work of the team that accompanies the participants, i.e. those responsible for logistics, welcoming us when we arrive at a location, and booking hotels and restaurants. Naturally, they accompanied us in Toyota vehicles. Here, the vehicle used by the photo and video team.

Photo: D. Rufiange
Toyota Grand Highlander

Confederation Bridge

Wave 2 participants had the chance to cross the Confederation Bridge to Prince Edward Island. The 12.9 km-long structure was built between 1993 and 1997. Nearly 30 years later, it remains an impressive sight.

Photo: D. Rufiange
Confederation Bridge

New Brunswick

The next stop for the convoy was the province of New Brunswick... and its huge, unmistakable welcome sign.

Photo: D. Rufiange
New Brunswick's welcome sign is hard to miss

750,000 km

This picture speaks for itself, showing the team around a Toyota Corolla with 750,000 km under its belt, in the service of the same owner. Today, it’s owned by Acadia Toyota, located in Moncton, New Brunswick. Visits to different dealerships across the country often led to such discoveries.

Photo: D. Rufiange
A Toyota Corolla with 750,000 km under its belt

Toyota 700

Like what we encountered at Mauricie Toyota: this magnificent Toyota 700, also known as the Publica. This model was produced from 1961 to 1966 by what was then a small Japanese car company.

Photo: D. Rufiange
Toyota 700

Toyota GR Corolla

Once in Montreal, it was time for Wave 2 participants to go home, while those from Wave 3 joined the party. I was back on the road again, this time with a full week's driving ahead of me, with our route taking us as far as Winnipeg, the end point for the fourth wave of the trip. For this third leg, two new vehicles were added to the group: a GR Corolla and a Prius.

Photo: D. Rufiange
Toyota GR Corolla

Toyota Prius

The Prius, like the GR Corolla, is pictured in front of the Canada Science and Technology Museum in Ottawa. Our stop there marked the launch of the third wave, with a presentation of a historic model that you'll find in the next picture.

Photo: D. Rufiange
Toyota Prius

1998 Toyota Prius

Toyota Canada actually owns one of the first examples of the Prius, a 1998 version imported from Japan. Note that the Prius model was sold in Japan for a few years before making its debut here at the turn of 2000s. In the picture are Christina Tessier, General Manager of the Museum, and Stephen Beatty, Vice-President and General Secretary of Toyota Canada.

Photo: D. Rufiange
The Toyota Prius 1998, with Christina Tessier, General Manager of the Museum, and Stephen Beatty, Vice-President and General Secretary of Toyota Canada