Toyota Tsusho South Pacific Holdings Pty Ltd

Our History












































Over a century of progress.

Toyota Tsusho South Pacific Holdings’ roots are intertwined with two multinational corporations – one historical, and one persisting to this day.

1883

Shipping and trading company Burns, Philp & Co, Limited is founded in Sydney, Australia.

Burns Philp establishes a branch in Port Moresby.

1890

1920

Burns Philp (South Sea) Company Limited is publicly incorporated in Levuka, Fiji.

Toyoda Automatic Loom Works is founded in Japan by inventor Sakichi Toyoda.

1926

1933

Toyoda Automatic Loom Works establishes an Automobile Division and begins producing cars.

Toyota Kinyuu Kaisha is established to provide sales financing for Toyota vehicles.

1936

1948

Toyota’s trading operations are spun off as Nisshin Tsusho Kaisha, Ltd.

The trading company’s name is changed to Toyoda Tsusho Kaisha, Ltd.

1956

1958

First Toyota shipment to the South Pacific: an FA truck is delivered to the New Hebrides (Vanuatu).

Twelve Land Cruisers are delivered to Papua New Guinea.

Toyota Crown arrives in Samoa.

1960

Burns Philp establishes a Toyota dealership in Port Moresby.

1963

1963

Toyota Tiara becomes available in Fiji.

Eighty Toyota vehicles, including FA Truck, Crown, Corona, & Stout are delivered to Samoa.

1964

1965

Over 1000 vehicles are shipped to the South Pacific since Toyota’s market entry; American Samoa deliveries begin.

1966

Burns Philp builds and relocates to a new dealership in Badili, Port Moresby.

Burns Philp Motors dealership opens in Nuku‘alofa, Tonga.

1968

1969

Burns Philp begins trading as Ela Motors in Papua New Guinea.

Burns Philp Motors dealership opens in American Samoa.

1971

1972

Burns Philp Motors showroom and service facility open in Samoa.

Mendana Motors is set up in Solomon Islands as an automotive dealer.

Fiji operations, trading as Automotive Supply Co. Ltd, records 1634 unit sales in this year.

1981

1987

Burns Philp’s Vanuatu Motors Port Vila facility is burnt down.

1987

The trading company’s name is changed to Toyota Tsusho Corporation.

Fiji’s Automotive Supply Co. Ltd rebrands to Asco Motors.

1990

1991

BPT South Pacific Holdings is founded as a partnership between Burns Philp and Toyota Tsusho Corporation in Brisbane, Australia.

TTC increases its share in BPT South Pacific Holdings from 25% to 50%.

1993

1994

Burns Philp Motors (Tonga, Samoa) and Vanuatu Motors rebrand to Asco Motors; Mendana Motors (Solomon Islands) rebrands to Ela Motors.

Burns Philp Motors in American Samoa rebrands to Asco Motors.

1997

1998

TTC purchases the remaining 50% share of BPTSPH from Burns Philp, renaming it Toyota Tsusho South Pacific Holdings Pty Ltd (TTSPH).

Asco Motors American Samoa’s Pago Pago branch is refurbished.

1999

2002

The TTSPH office moves from Cribb St across the road to Coronation Drive.

TTSPH celebrates 40 years of service throughout the South Pacific.

2003

2005

TTSPH Group sales pass the 3000 unit mark for the year.

Ela Motors PNG refurbishes its main showroom in Badili, Port Moresby.

2006

2007

TTSPH Group sales pass the 4000 unit mark for the year.

Avis opens as a fully owned subsidiary in Vanuatu.

Ela Motors PNG opens its 16th branch at Waigani in Port Moresby.

2009

2013

TTSPH celebrates 50 years within PNG. To celebrate, Ela Motors contributes medical kits to hospitals in PNG.

Head office moves across the river to South Brisbane.

Ela Academy, a specialist centre for technical training in PNG, officially opens.

Ela Motors opens its Waigani showroom to coincide with PNG’s 39th year of independence. ONESTOP, a Yamaha retail outlet, is launched.

2014

2015

The 8th generation Hilux is launched in all serviced regions.

Major development of National Distribution Centre for national parts distribution, pre delivery workshop and storage yard in Lae, PNG.

Hino launches its new 500 Series trucks in Papua New Guinea.

2016

2017

The new generation Coaster bus and Fortuner are launched.

TTSPH celebrates its 20th anniversary.

Asco Motors Fiji holds a grand reopening of its Nabua showroom.

Major redevelopment and relocation of dealership in Honiara, Solomon Islands.

2018

2020

Redevelopment of dealership in Lautoka, Fiji.

Payless Car Rental launches in Fiji.

Ela Motors PNG launches dealership on Malaita St, Lae.

2022

2024

Asco Motors opens a new flagship dealership in Nadi, Fiji.

Operating Lease product launched in PNG and Fiji.

2025

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