The Toyota LandCruiser, which won its spurs on the Snowy Mountains Scheme, is Australia’s largest selling four wheel drive.

More than 390,000 have been sold since the first vehicle won its Australian reputation from 1959, during the construction of the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

Toyota LandCruiser will support a number of events throughout 1999.

On Australia Day it sponsored The Snowy Challenge, an enduro event showcasing three Australian sports stars in the heart of the Snowy Mountains country.

Gerry Tatrai, Susie Maroney and Pat Farmer respectively cycled, swam and ran their way from Tumut 2 Power Station to the gateway of the Snowy Mountains, Cooma.

Other major events planned include the Anniversary Festival across the Snowy Mountains region and the 50^th Anniversary Reunion Picnic in Jindabyne in October.

The Snowy Mountains Hydro-electric Authority also plans to launch a commemorative book and a photographic exhibition in April, fully documenting the Scheme’s history.

Toyota senior executive vice-president John Conomos said the Snowy Mountains Scheme and LandCruiser were linked in history.

"LandCruiser played an important role in the Australian construction activity on the hydro-electric scheme.

"It helped Les Thiess - head of Thiess Constructions - prove the efficiency of his local construction company against strong international competition," Mr Conomos said.

Sir Leslie Thiess was impressed by a privately imported LandCruiser working on his Tumut Ponds site, and made a point of visiting Toyota’ president Eiji Toyoda when next in Japan and secured the Australian franchise.

He imported an initial shipment of 13 vehicles, most of which worked on the Snowy Mountains Scheme.

Toyota has been the four wheel drive market leader in Australia for more than 25 years, and in 1998 accounted for more than 36 percent of an all-time record delivery of 137,300 four wheel drives.