Q&A: When Japanese vehicles were assembled in Cape Breton

The history of the first Japanese cars in North America is a fascinating tale that begins in Cape Breton in 1968. It all started with the assembly of an Isuzu Bellett at the Toyota plant in Point Edward, followed by the introduction of the first Toyota Corolla a year later. This groundbreaking venture was made possible by the unlikely partnership between Canadian stereo TV manufacturer Clairtone and Frank Sobey, who played a pivotal role in bringing the automotive industry to Cape Breton.

Award-winning automotive journalist Dale Edward Johnson recently shed light on the history of the Cape Breton Toyota plant in an interview with CBC Radio’s Information Morning Cape Breton. According to Johnson, the origins of the plant can be traced back to Clairtone’s successful foray into the high-end stereo market in the 1950s. In 1964, Clairtone ventured into the automotive industry by acquiring the rights to market and produce Japanese cars in Canada, including Isuzu and Toyota models.

With the support of Frank Sobey, head of Nova Scotia’s Industrial Estates, Clairtone set up a plant in Sydney to manufacture these Japanese cars. The initial goal was to produce 1,000 cars a year with 50 employees, but financial troubles plagued Clairtone in the mid-1960s, leading to the relocation of the company to Stellarton. Despite these challenges, the Cape Breton Toyota plant began production in 1967, churning out Isuzu Bellett sedans and later Toyota Corollas.

The plant operated until 1975, producing a total of 9,000 vehicles before its eventual shutdown. Although the site now sits as a vacant lot, Toyota commemorated its legacy during a 60th-anniversary celebration in Canada. Stephen Beatty, a former Toyota executive, highlighted the plant’s significance as a testing ground for understanding local markets and regulatory requirements. While the Cape Breton Toyota plant ultimately proved financially unviable due to logistical challenges, its impact on the Canadian automotive industry remains a significant chapter in the history of Japanese cars in North America.

As we reflect on the pioneering spirit that led to the establishment of the Cape Breton Toyota plant, we honor the legacy of those who dared to venture into uncharted territory and paved the way for the automotive industry’s evolution in Canada.