Toyota Corolla Fan Site

Ever since its launch in the year 1966, the Toyota Corolla has been one of the trademark products of the company.

In the year 1997, Corolla became the highest sold automotive, and currently it boasts of mind boggling record sales figure of 35 millions (official stats as of 2007).

As per some simple calculations, it simply means that every minute a Toyota Corolla is sold in some part of the world!

And, this should be more than sufficient to indicate the level of popularity of this compact class sedan.

It has not only proven to be fuel efficient, but also a car that barely requires any maintenance; all you need to do is regular servicing and oil change until the 100,000-mile mark!

No wonder, over 200,000 Americans, buy Corollas year after year.

Toyota Corolla is currently in its 10th generation, and now it is available only as a large size sedan. However, during its various generations this compact car has been marketed in various forms ranging from sedan, coupe, hatchback, down to wagon.

Significance of the Term ‘Corolla’

Most of the Toyota creations mean crown in some or the other way, and Corolla literally means ‘small crown’ in Spanish! The assembly plants are located throughout the world, and the Corolla’s chassis designation code is “E”.

Let us now take a retrospective look at the various generations of Toyota Corolla.

First Generation (E10) – (1966-1969)

The first generation Corolla was rolled out into the market in the month of October, 1966. It had 1100 cc K pushrod engine, and within a matter of two years, the fastback version of Corolla introduced in 1968, in form of Corolla Sprinter.

Second Generation (E20) – (1970-1973)

In May 1970, the E10 was revamped and the E20 surfaced up as second generation model that had rounded body and powerful 1400 cc T/1600 cc 2T OHV engines .

Third Generation (E30, E40, E50, E60) – (1974-1978)

In April 1974, bigger Corolla variants with rounder, and heavier body were launched with an additional 2- door lift back. They were given E30 chassis codes, but during a face-lift in March 1976, they were relabeled as E50.

Fourth Generation (E70) – (1979-1982)

After a major change in the styling cues, fourth generation Corolla was launched with a square edged design, and the the K “hicam” and T series engines were used for the last time on Corollas.

Fifth Generation (E80) – (1983-1986)

With a contemporary sharp-edged style having sloping front bonnet, and no frills, the fifth generation Toyota Corolla models were launched during May, 1983. They had latest 1839 cc 1C diesel engines under their hood, and E80 Corolla models were also marketed as fifth generation Chevrolet Nova.

These models had front-wheel drive mechanism, and there were very little variations in Sprinter and Corolla during this generation.

Sixth Generation (E90) – (1987-1990)

The design became more rounded, and seventh generation Corolla models were introduced in May 1987 with aerodynamic style, and new supercharged 4A-GZE.

Seventh Generation (E100) – (1991-1994)

The Toyota Corolla made transition from sub compact to the compact class during June 1991, and the Coupe was labeled as the Corolla Levin AE101.

Eighth Generation (E110) – (1995-1999)

The eight generation Corolla models had the new 1ZZ-FE engine featured with aluminum engine block and cylinder heads, making them lot lighter. Launched during May 1995, eight generation Corolla models underwent a complete redesign; and, the strategy indeed worked. The sales figures shot up in global markets.

Ninth Generation (E120, E130)

In November 2000, the ninth generation Corolla were rolled out in Japanese market, marking the entry into new millennium with edgier styling and advanced technological features.

Tenth Generation (E140, E150) (2006-Present)

The tenth generation represents the current generation of the Corolla, which began in October, 2006. It was sold as Corolla Axio in Japanese markets.

Euro NCAP Ratings:

• 1998 (EE110 1.3 5-door liftback LHD): 3 stars
• 2002 (ZZE120 1.4 5-door hatchback RHD): 4 stars
• 2007 (E150 4-door sedan): 5 stars for adult occupant, 4 stars for children

Toyota Corolla Global Sales Figures

Taking a look at the recent sales figures, about 371,390 Corollas were sold in 2007, and the numbers have dropped a bit in past two years, accounting to about 351,007 in 2008, and 296,874 during the year 2009. However, Toyota is expecting certain boost in these figures for 2010, and 2011.