First Ever Exported Toyota Corolla Anniversary

Press Release

40 years ago

Australia gained a significant place in world automotive history 40 years ago this month when it was chosen as the destination of the first Toyota Corolla exported from Japan. The sample vehicle, shipped just one month after the first-generation Corolla was introduced in Japan, heralded a remarkable chapter in the global automotive industry.

Corolla has become the biggest-selling car of all time with 32 million sales to the end of October 2006, including more than 20 million outside Japan. Its phenomenal success means that, on average, one Corolla has been sold somewhere in the world every 40 seconds over the past 40 years. Last year, more than 1.36 million Corollas were produced around the world - an average of one every 23.2 seconds.

In Australia, 2007 marks the 40th anniversary of the Corolla as the first-generation model was released to the public here in 1967. Corolla sales in Australia have exceeded 960,000 units - including almost 40,000 so far this year (to 31 October). The millionth Corolla in Australia is likely to be bought late in the 40th anniversary year. In 2006, the fuel-efficient four-cylinder Corolla has become Australia's second most popular vehicle - and it reached the number one spot in June and July.

Toyota Australia's senior executive director sales and marketing, David Buttner, said the global significance of the Corolla could not be underestimated. "More than any other car, Corolla built the reputation of the Japanese automotive industry - and that of Toyota Motor Corporation," Mr Buttner said. "While next year marks the 40th anniversary of Corolla in Australia, it's historically significant that the very first Corolla export from Japan came to Australia. Yet, even armed with the sample vehicle sent here in November 1966, I doubt anyone could have predicted the success that Corolla has commanded. Australians have always loved the Corolla - and we have punched way above our population weight in terms of Corolla's success. While Australia has a mere one-third of one per cent of the world's population, we have bought 2.4 per cent of all Corollas produced. That helps explain the special relationship that has formed over many years between Toyota Australia and our parent company."

Corolla is sold in 140 countries and produced in 16, including Japan, North and South America, Europe, the U.K., Asia-Pacific, China, the Sub-continent and South Africa.