Toyota has broken a 50-year drought to grab overall market leadership in South Australia for the first time.

SA regional manager Michael Beros said the SA result means Toyota is now number one in every state and territory in Australia.

"SA motorists bought more than 13,000 Toyotas in 2007, giving us a lead of more than 1100 over the nearest rival.

"Toyota's new-vehicle sales in SA rose by 7.8 per cent last year compared with growth of just 2.7 per cent for the market as a whole.

"As a result, our market share jumped a full percentage point to 21.1 per cent.

"This is an historic result in the home state of two other local car makers," Mr Beros said.

Toyota's best-selling car in South Australia was Corolla, followed closely by HiLux.

Mr Beros said the importance of South Australia to Toyota went far beyond sales of new vehicles.

"Toyota relies on leading SA manufacturers to produce components for our local production of four-cylinder Camry and V6 Aurion.

"The SA components - valued at around $200 million a year - are vital for ensuring we maintain and improve on the world-class quality of our cars.

"Camry and Aurion are popular choices among car buyers in SA and throughout the country.

"Toyota is also exporting them in record numbers with more than 95,000 cars shipped last year, mainly to the Middle East."

Mr Beros said Toyota dealers planned to invest at least $50 million in improved sales and service centres over the next 12 to 18 months.

"This is a huge vote of confidence in the SA economy and the company's plans to continue strong growth," he said.

Toyota also has strong links with the SA community, including as vehicle sponsor for the Adelaide Festival of Arts, World Youth Arts Festival and the 2007 Adelaide Film Festival.

"This year, we will sponsor the SA Short Screen Awards for the third time and we have had an 18-year partnership with the Variety Club SA.

"Toyota is well known for its 17-year association with the Adelaide Crows AFL team and, together with our dealers, we sponsor the 'Good for Footy' program, which is aimed at developing the game in rural areas."

Toyota recently sponsored the 2007 Kluger Rally SA, a round of the Australian Rally Championship.