<P> The first backup camera was used in the 1956 Buick Centurion concept car, presented in January 1956 at the General Motors Motorama . The vehicle had a rear - mounted television camera that sent images to a TV screen in the dashboard in place of the rear - view mirror . </P> <P> Later the 1972 Volvo Experimental Safety Car (VESC) had a backup camera . However, the camera element did not make it into the following Volvo 240 model . </P> <P> The first production automobile to incorporate a backup camera was the 1991 Toyota Soarer Limited (UZZ31 and UZZ32), which was only available in Japan and not on its U.S. counterpart, the Lexus SC . The Toyota system used a colour EMV screen, with a rear - spoiler - mounted CCD camera . The system was discontinued in 1997 . In April 2000, Nissan's Infiniti luxury division introduced the RearView Monitor on the 2002 Q45 flagship sedan at the 2000 New York International Auto Show . Introducing coloured onscreen guide lines as a parking distance parameter, the RearView Monitor operated from a license - plate - mounted camera in the trunk that transmitted a mirrored image to an in - dash (7 - inch) LCD screen . It was available as optional equipment upon North American market launch in March 2001 . The 2002 Nissan Primera introduced the RearView Monitor backup camera system to territories outside Japan and North America . </P> <P> Aftermarket options for cars have been available for some time . Electronics manufacturers have made multiple car upgrades available that can be installed by professionals without replacing the car's center console . </P>

When did they start putting back up cameras in cars