The Toyota Lan Cruiser is a series of four-wheel drive vehicles produced by the Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corporation. The Land Cruiser, along with the Hilux utility, has been used in the world's most gruelling terrains and climates. Design of the Land Cruiser began in 1951 as a Toyota Jeep-like vehicle and production began in 1954. The Land Cruiser has been produced in many different versions such as the convertible, hardtop, station wagon and utility. In many places, the term Land Cruiser has even become a generic term for an off-road vehicle. It is currently Toyota's flagship SUV.