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 Launched by Mettoy in 1956 as a competiitor to Dinky Toys, Corgi were marketed as "the ones with windows" stealing a march on Dinky who had never glazed the windows in their models. The battle for dominance of the UK toy market saw both Corgi and Dinky introduce many innovations including opening bonnets, boots and doors. The inventive development team at Corgi always seemed to be able to pull out all the stops to make something new and different and the Corgi James Bond Aston Martin, with working feautures, caused a sensation when it was first released and other TV and film related models followed including Chitty Chitty Bang Bang and the Avengers set.
In the late 60's the diecast toy market was dying and Corgi made a disastrous move to 1/36 scale wiping out their sales to collectors (who preferred 1/43 scale) almost overnight.

 The company was relaunched in 1984 as Corgi Classics and after a shaky start with models of veteran commercial vehicles they found a niche in the market with 1/50 scale diecast models of classic british trucks and 1/43 scale cars and light commercials later expanding the range to include American and French vehicles many of which were not marketed widely in the UK. 
Corgi also launched the Aviation Archive range of airliners and military aircraft, probably the first larger scale diecast aircraft range specifically for the collectors market, and a range of tanks and other military vehicles soon followed. 
The moulding tools and rights to the Lledo name were purchased after Lledo foundered in the 1990's and Corgi rebranded their 1/43 scale car and van range as Vanguards. 
Since then the company has enjoyed mixed fortunes with various owners but under new owners Hornby Hobbies it should be able to look forward to a secure future.