The development history of the Toyota Coaster

The Toyota Coaster is a minibus manufactured by Toyota Motor Corporation. Known for its reliability and cost-effectiveness, the Coaster is widely used in countries and regions such as Singapore, Malaysia, Japan, Mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Macau, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also commonly seen among minibus operators in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.

In February 1969, the first-generation Toyota Coaster (U10/B10 series) was launched in Japan. It featured a body design with four round headlights, upward-curved bumpers on both sides, and a pair of fog lights. Upon its release, it received widespread praise for its high speed, durability, comfort, and sense of luxury. During the 1970s, it was even introduced into China. Although the number was limited, it still left a lasting impression. In the early spring of 1984 and 1992, Comrade Deng Xiaoping undertook two historic "Southern Tours" in China, and the Coaster was used as his official vehicle during those significant journeys.

In 1982, the second-generation Coaster (B20/B30 series) was released. One of its most notable upgrades was the addition of an air conditioning system. Cool air was delivered from a unit hidden beneath the vehicle and channeled through concealed ducts to air vents along both sides of the ceiling. Each row of seats was equipped with individual air outlets, allowing passengers to adjust the direction and intensity of airflow, greatly enhancing overall comfort. The body design was also revamped, with the front headlights available in either four round or four square configurations. The door system offered both manual and automatic operation options. At the time, many organizations in China competed to purchase the Coaster, and it quickly became the standard vehicle for company use.

In December 1992, Toyota introduced the fully redesigned third-generation Coaster (B40/B50 series), featuring numerous upgrades. The body abandoned the previously boxy shape in favor of a more rounded design, and it retained the signature four round headlights. Notably, this generation began local production in China. Thanks to its popularity among Chinese users, sales surged rapidly, making it a shining star in China’s automotive market.

In 1998, to promote the development of China’s automotive industry, Sichuan Toyota was established as a joint venture between China FAW Group Corporation, Toyota Motor Corporation, and Toyota Tsusho Corporation. Starting in 2000, the third-generation Toyota Coaster was officially produced in China by Sichuan FAW Toyota and was given the Chinese name “Toyota Coaster” . This marked the beginning of a legendary journey, with the Coaster leading the mid-size bus market in China for over two decades.

The fourth-generation Toyota Coaster (B60/B70/B80 series) made its debut in December 2016. However, it did not generate much buzz in the mainland China market and was only sold in the Hong Kong market.

In mainland China, the Toyota Coaster is mainly used for hotel shuttles, VIP airport transfers, and corporate staff transportation, with a smaller portion used for commercial passenger services. Due to its low-profile appearance and ideal seating capacity for group travel, it has also been used as the designated vehicle for party and state leaders during local inspections.

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