Toyota - stiri, noutati

cica asa ar fi aratand sedanu ce zicetzi ?? nush daca asta european sau cel americano-japonez

The Auris concept is the successor to the Corolla hatchback. Details are sketchy, but it seemed likely that the Auris will be more upscale and will have styling similar to the Yaris small car.

With a fresh design and up-market features, Toyota aims to position the Auris at the higher end of the lower-medium segment to lure buyers from the Volkswagen Golf and the Alfa Romeo 147.

Despite being the world’s best-selling car, the Corolla has not been a top seller in Europe.

In the first six months, Toyota sold 90,453 units of the Corolla in Europe. The Golf was the segment’s best seller with a volume of 219,902 units. The production version of the Auris will be shown at the Bologna auto show in December. Sales start in early 2007. The Auris will replace the Corolla hatchback on the production line at Toyota’s plant in Burnaston, central England. A sedan version of the car will be built at Toyota’s plant in Turkey and will keep the Corolla name.

LIFE BEGINS AT 40 FOR THE TOYOTA COROLLA

Cars come and go but the Toyota Corolla – much like Dr Who – has regularly regenerated to meet the demands of time and outlasted most rivals. This year the world’s biggest selling car is celebrating its 40th birthday – and it is not finished yet.

The first generation Corolla was introduced in Japan in October 1966. Now, 40 years on, the Corolla is built in 16 different countries, a barometer of the global expansion of Toyota as much as the popularity of the model itself.

In 2005 alone, 1.36 million Corollas were produced in 16 countries/regions* and by the end of June this year, cumulative worldwide production reached 31.60 million units. That represents more than 2,160 cars every day – 90.1 cars per hour, every hour – for 40 years.

Since its debut, the Corolla has been the number one seller in Japan in 36 out of the past 40 years. It not only helped establish Toyota in Japan, but the USA and UK, too, and in the 21st Century it continues its ‘missionary work’ with growing sales in developing markets such as China and South America. Another 40 years at the top seems very likely.

Over the years Corollas have won races and rallies, done innumerable school runs, helped millions learn to drive and, in the shape of the 1980s’ T Coupe (AE 86), even become a youth culture icon through the Initial D series of books, TV shows and movies.

Happy birthday Corolla!

* 16 countries/regions include Japan, the United States, Canada, Brazil, Venezuela, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Thailand, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, the Philippines, Pakistan, India, China and South Africa.

sursa: Toyota UK Press release 51082/010906