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Toyota Corolla: World's most popular car

29 Comments

Toyota Motor Corp said Thursday that cumulative global sales of the Toyota Corolla, the world's most popular car, surpassed 40 million in July, reaching 40.01 million units. This milestone marks another historic achievement for the Corolla, Toyota's perennial global car.

In November 1966, Toyota opened a new plant in Takaoka, Aichi Prefecture, dedicated solely to Corolla production. Two years later, with an emphasis on providing region-specific vehicles, production began in Australia and Malaysia. From 1965 to 1968, Toyota more than doubled its total annual production from 480,000 to 1.1 million vehicles-a testament to the Corolla's significant contribution to the growth of the company.

The Corolla, currently produced at 15 plants worldwide, accounts for one in five vehicles sold in Toyota's 76-year history.

Corolla exports to North America began in 1968, and early sales success in this market helped global cumulative sales of the car reach 1 million units just four years after launch. In 1997, the Corolla became the world's best-selling nameplate, with global cumulative sales exceeding 22.65 million units. More than a million units have been sold each year since 2002; last year, a total of 3,180 Corollas were sold every day across more than 150 countries and regions.

Marking the milestone, Corolla Chief Engineer Shinichi Yasui said: "I feel this car has been nurtured by people all over the world and I am very proud to have contributed to its foundation and grateful to all those who have owned and loved their Corollas. The key to the Corolla's success is the faithful passing down of its original development concept from Tatsuo Hasegawa: that the Corolla must bring happiness and well-being to people around the world."

The Corolla was originally designed to meet the changing needs of Japanese commuters in the mid-1960s. Then-Chief Engineer Tatsuo Hasegawa recognized that with Japan's industry expanding, most consumers' daily commuting time was increasing. The need to get around in a personal vehicle was therefore growing and this insight led Hasegawa to conceptualize the first Corolla, with his guiding principles defining the vehicle ever since: always evolving and designed to meet consumer needs in each market.

When the first Corolla rolled off the production line, many basic safety features were still optional. Later, to meet the needs of families, Toyota decided to include many of these features as standard. Toyota's commitment to pursue higher and higher levels of quality and continue adding new standard features to the affordably priced Corolla has helped ensure that families around the world continue to choose it more than any other nameplate.

© JCN Newswire

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29 Comments
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If they wanted to, they could make a boringly dependable car beautiful.....but that is reserved for the highly priced . Nothing is better than reliability of dependability.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@gifu my mother owned a 1996 Camry until she got rear ended 6 months. in the 17years 200,000 she had it she only had one problem and that was a $2 that helps select 3rd gear. guy that came out also said that her model of car is the most reliable hes ever seen in his 25years experience, only gets called out for flats tyres batteries and keys locked in cars. call Toyota boring but there are very few companies that can match it for reliability.. period

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Yes, AE86 has a cult following because of the Initial D craze, and has earned an iconic reputation in the drifting world. I personally don't care for the AE86, but it has its place and does very well with its followers.

The FT86, GT86 or whatever you want to call it, is another Toyota marking toy aimed at recapturing the attention of the fans of the AE86. But a true AE86 fan will never see the GTFT86 as a replacement. Toyota could never build another AE86 no matter how much money they threw into the project

If you know Toyota's reputation in both the racing and street market, you'd know that they are more of a marketing company than a real car manufacturing company. They do a pretty poor job of coming up with their own technology, so they either borrow, steal, or buy technology from other manufacturers. For the longest time, Toyota stole technology and styling from other companies (like Honda, Mercedes, and BMW) and marketed as their own. Or they would buy technology (like Yamaha and Subaru) because they don't have the know how to do it on their own. All that Toyota has going for it is money, and a lot of it. And they use it to hype hype hype their line up through ingenious marketing . GT86 an iconic car?...Hardly! GTR, NSX, RX7, are real iconic names.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

You mean the FT86? (yawn) really? First of all, the mechanics are 99% Subaru. Toyota had very little to do with the production of that car which is sad for largest car manufacturer in the world.

No, I mean the GT 86. The GT86 is the production model of the FT 86 prototype. Yes, it uses a Subaru engine. But Toyota is a major shareholder in Subaru, so why can't they use their technology? It's their money.

Secondly, the FT86 is just another mundane car with an iconic name slapped on to it to try to appeal to the AE86 crowd.

So you are saying the AE86 is an iconic car? But it's a Toyota. I thought Toyota doesn't produce iconic cars.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

GT 86. Still to new to be an icon, but give it time to mature.

You mean the FT86? (yawn) really? First of all, the mechanics are 99% Subaru. Toyota had very little to do with the production of that car which is sad for largest car manufacturer in the world. Secondly, the FT86 is just another mundane car with an iconic name slapped on to it to try to appeal to the AE86 crowd. Nothing is special about that car.

the cars are all derived from the same platform. Like the priuc c is derived from the yaris, etc

You're not getting it. Almost all car manufacturers build different makes and models on top of the same platform. This is to save production cost and allow the user to have access to a large parts pool. But Toyota badges at least 10 different makes of cars in their line up with the Corolla name so they can claim that its the best selling car. They have done this for several years now. Some car magazines don't even include Corolla in their overall sales totals anymore because of this. Its an artificial way of boosting numbers.

Actually, Toyota already created many iconic cars. My favorite are Soarer, Mark II, Crown.

VIP oyaji-mobiles.

Raymond Chuang

sounds like you're copying and pasting the sales brochures. LOL

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

I don't understand when people say a car is 'boring'. If it gets from A to B safely and reliably at not too high a cost and without breaking down, then in my book it's a good car.

We have the use of a Toyota Corolla and a Mercedes Benz. I don't like the Merc for a number of reasons - it's a 2-door sporty type, a gas-guzzler, the seats are low and difficult to get in and out of and once you're in the bonnet rises up in front and makes it feel like you're driving in a hole - and much prefer to get around in the Toyota, which is smaller, easier to manoeuvre and costs less to run and maintain. Mr cleo on the other hand claims the Merc is 'more fun' to drive and will look for any excuse to 'oil its wheels'.

I think reliability - in cars and men - is way preferable to fun and excitement. Apparently men have a different view of cars (and women?)

1 ( +1 / -0 )

sfjp330 and others with similar views. You say its a BORING CAR. Yet people prefer such boring car because of its reliability, economical price and family oriented car. Its a car for masses. Its a car for small and medium class family. The numbers sold tell how successful car it has been. Least problem giving car indeed. Spare parts are cheap. Wear-n-tear is least. You find it boring you go for manual.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Toyota still needs to make an iconic car.

Actually, Toyota already created many iconic cars. My favorite are Soarer, Mark II, Crown.

-4 ( +0 / -4 )

My Mum back home in Australia swears by her Corolla - hers apparently does 60,000+ kms per year (on country roads) and has never missed a beat. Boring - maybe - but as reliable as a swiss watch!

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Toyota still needs to make an iconic car

Hilux pickup - ask any self-respecting insurgent, or Top Gear.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Toyota still needs to make an iconic car.

GT 86. Still to new to be an icon, but give it time to mature.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

@Mirai Hayashi

What are you? A Toyota dealer?

Nope. How about someone who has regularly read American automobile news web sites, web sites that have noted the unveiling and arrival of the new Toyota Corolla sedan. Compared to the previous model, the new Corolla has a number of changes, especially the styling, which is quite striking considering Corollas sold in the US market in the past tend to be reliable but boring.

1 ( +2 / -1 )

Thank you Hatsune Miki http://www.motorauthority.com/news/1066199_2011-toyota-corolla-fans-love-virtual-pop-star-hatsune-miku http://blogs.wsj.com/japanrealtime/2011/05/10/toyotas-new-u-s-saleswoman-virtual-idol-hatsune-miku/

My first car was the German made Ford Capri. Nice little car but would have preferred a 67-70 Mustang; classic. Toyota still needs to make an iconic car. Now if Toyota would bring back the RAV4 EVO or make a real electric / hybrid SUV that is at least all wheel drive. Buy a mini van if you get a 2 wheel drive SUV.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@Mirai Hayashi the cars are all derived from the same platform. Like the priuc c is derived from the yaris, etc

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Happy to hear it's not the Prius ;)

0 ( +0 / -0 )

The battery on my Corolla went flat after I left the lights on. The JAF guy who came to give me a boost said this and flat tyres were the only reasons he ever had to go out on calls involving Corollas. 'Nuff said.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

@globalwatcher I grew up in, and learned to drive in, San Francisco...in manual transmission cars. I much prefer them to automatics, even though they're becoming difficult to obtain.

I've driven a few Corollas, but wouldn't own one because I, too, find them pretty tame. Reliable, but not really fun to drive. I haven't driven a Civic for a long time, but unless they've changed a lot, I would hardly call them fun to drive, either. Your "mileage", I guess, may vary.

The last Toyota I drove that I thought was relatively fun was an '84 Celica. Note the "relatively".

2 ( +3 / -1 )

@Raymond Chuang

far better to its competition, especially with its radical new styling, improved handling and improved drivetrain.

What are you? A Toyota dealer?

2 ( +2 / -0 )

It should be noted that an all-new Corolla for the North American market is about to start arriving at US dealers. Unlike the previous generation, the new Corolla compares far better to its competition, especially with its radical new styling, improved handling and improved drivetrain. I do agree that the Japanese domestic market Corolla variants can be a bit "boring," but that might be the very selling point of the car in the first place.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Loved our Carolla sold here in Japan as "Marino."

Had it 18 years and never spent a yen on repairs other than once for a coolant recharge. Would still have it except for being clobbered from behind by a hit & run driver last spring.

I've had several "fun" cars and definitely prefer knowing it will start up when I need it.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

I can't agree with the detractors. I bought my first Corolla when in the U.S. and then have had three others in my 25 years in Japan. All have driven well and lasted a long time. Two were sporty 2-door models, one a 4-door "Saloon" sedan, and last was a wagon.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

In Europe, I drove mostly German cars. I became expert at changing headlight, taillight, indicator and interior bulbs. It got progressively harder, as lamps and clusters became more difficult to access, and then on more than one car, I was told I had to go to the dealer to change a fecking bulb. Oh, and I always had breakdown cover.

Yes, my Corolla is boring, but I don't need to carry spare bulbs, or bother joining JAF.

6 ( +6 / -0 )

This is BS...Its Toyota's deceptive marketing trick to fudge the sales numbers. Toyota actually has about 10 different car models badged with the name "Corolla". Example: Corolla Fielder, Corolla Runks, Corolla Axio, Corolla Rumion, etc, etc. They are all different car models but share the same Corolla name with a slight variation. YET, they all get lumped together in the same total sales total, artificially boosting the number.

REALLY? DO you honestly believe such a mundane car would be the tip selling car?

-6 ( +4 / -10 )

the main reason Corolla are so popular is it reliability, in the middle east people want affordable cars that wont break down. Corolla wins this by far. my first car was a Corolla 1981, engine had 280,000km when I crashed it. had a few oil leaks but engine was still strong could have gone another 100-200000 km easy. Yes some people find looks an important when buying a car, but many chose affordability/reliability.

4 ( +5 / -1 )

sfjp330 I agree.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

If we're talking "automatic" ALL cars are boring...

Try a "stick shift" in San Francisco, you may appreciate your "automatic" more. By the way, I do not like Corolla. It just does not have an enough power when merging into busy 70 mph freeway.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

Honda Civic or Mazda 3 is a alot more fun of a car.

True, but they probably wouldn't last 6 months in a harsh environment such as the Middle East. For a developed country however, for the life of me I cannot understand why anyone would buy a Corolla.

-3 ( +2 / -5 )

If we're talking "automatic" ALL cars are boring...

3 ( +4 / -1 )

They should title Toyota Corolla as "Most Boring Car". Numb steering, numb brakes, numb handling, numb ride. Even though Corolla is very reliable with 1.8 engine, everything else is just put you to sleep and it's a very bland car. Honda Civic or Mazda 3 is a alot more fun of a car.

-7 ( +5 / -12 )

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