Borneo Motors Singapore (BMS), the distributor behind Toyota, Lexus and Hino, marks 100 years this August.
The theme is simple enough, “100 Years Strong”, yet the sweep is anything but: heritage, innovation and sustainability braided into one long, steady pull of progress.
“To stand at the start of our second century is an important moment of reflection and pride for Borneo Motors Singapore. For 100 years, we have not just sold vehicles, we have also empowered journeys, connected lives, and driven the nation forward, by and for generations of Singaporeans. As we look ahead, our vision is to continue redefining mobility, championing innovation, and fostering a sustainable future for all.”
Mr Ng Khee Siong, Managing Director of Borneo Motors Singapore
From first gear to top speed
Rewind to 1925, and you’ll find BMS planting the seeds of an industry that would grow with the nation. By 1967, the company had secured the Toyota franchise; within two years, more than 3,000 Toyota commercial and passenger vehicles had been sold.
By 1971, Toyota was among the top three best-sellers, and by 1981, it was number one, momentum that would translate into an era-defining taxi fleet: Toyota Crown Taxis arrived in 1982, market share surged past 40%, and by 2006, roughly eight in ten taxis on our roads wore the Toyota crest.
In the early days, BMS introduced taximeters to bring fairness to fares and order to a chaotic taxi scene. By the end of 1953, meters were mandatory.
The milestones kept piling up: 14 Triple Crown Awards from Toyota, showroom refreshes, new brands, and a customer base that today numbers over 200,000 Toyota vehicles, which translates roughly into one in four cars on Singapore’s roads.
Lexus, Hino and the art of breadth
Lexus joined the fold in 1992, ushering in a different flavour of excellence. And because a modern automotive group is more than cars alone, Hino became an exclusive BMS nameplate in 2006, anchoring the commercial-vehicle bedrock.
The BMS100 Museum
From 20 August to 29 December 2025, the Toyota and Lexus showrooms transform into the BMS100 Museum, an immersive timeline from 1925 to 2025. You’ll see the last Toyota Crown Taxi (retired 2014), the 1930s taximeters that tamed pirate cabs, and even a Kabuto samurai helmet gifted by Toyota in 1988 to mark BMS’s first Triple Crown Award.
In partnership with Singapore Polytechnic’s School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering, BMS will display a Toyota Corolla Cross cut in half, its Self-Charging Full Hybrid system laid bare. An interactive demo shows energy flow during acceleration, cruising and braking.
Special editions
Anniversaries deserve statements. The Lexus LBX Urbanite is a limited-run edition that will only have 100 units for Singapore. The car features dechromed bodywork, Gloss Black Japanese rims, and crisp Citrine yellow accents.
There’s craft beyond cars, too. The Lexus x Bynd Artisan BMS100 Car Key Folio is a pocket-sized salute to Takumi artistry.
There will also be a BMS100 Special Edition Lexus Maze Gashi by Pâtisserie CLÉ riffs on rojak, available 20 August–31 December 2025 for owners and guests who complete a test drive.
On the Toyota side, there’s a preview of the All-New Noah Hybrid and a refreshed Corolla Cross Hybrid. To crown it all, the BMS100 Special Edition Corolla Cross gets gunmetal rims, Nappa leather seats, and a BMS100 badge.
And because confidence at the point of purchase is priceless, an anniversary “lifetime assurance” campaign on selected Lexus and Toyota models lines up a quartet of 100s: 100-month engine & transmission protection, 100-month hybrid battery warranty, 100-month servicing and a 100-month road-tax rebate (Terms and conditions apply).
The road ahead
So, a hundred years on, what’s next?
If the past is prologue, Borneo Motors Singapore won’t hinge on a single breakthrough but on a thousand thoughtful calibrations, each one making everyday journeys feel that bit easier, calmer, and kinder to the city we share.
Read more automotive news at AutoApp, or check out our latest videos on YouTube and on TikTok!
