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it was all a dream
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Toronto, Canada
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History of the Corolla
COROLLA HISTORY
Chronology:
1966 - Introduced during CY 1966 in Japan.
1968 - Introduced in U.S. as sub-compact replacement for Crown.
1968 - Originally equipped with 1.1L 4-cylinder SOHC engine.
1970 - Roomier second generation introduced, avail 1.2L engine.
1970 - CY 1970 - Became #2 best-selling import.
1971 - 1.6L engine introduced.
1974 - Third generation introduced.
1976 (June) - 5-millionth Corolla produced.
1979 - Fourth generation introduced.
1983 (March) - 10-millionth Corolla produced.
1984 - Fifth generation, front-wheel drive introduced.
1984 - CY 1984 - Joint venture with General Motors (NUMMI).
1984-90 - Among "Best Buys" by Consumer's Digest.
1987 - FX introduced.
1988 - Corolla's 20th Anniversary in U.S., sixth generation.
1988 - CY 1988 - Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada opened.
1988 - Named "Best in Class in Initial Quality" by J.D. Power & Associates.
1988-1994 - Included in J.D. Power Top 10 Quality Survey.
1990 (June) - 15-millionth Corolla produced.
1990 - Named "Best in Class in Initial Quality" by J.D. Power & Associates.
1992 - Named "Best in Class in Initial Quality" by J.D. Power & Associates.
1993 - Seventh generation introduced, moves to compact size.
1993 - Among "Best Buys" by Consumer's Digest.
1993 - Received Popular Mechanics "Design and Engineering Award."
1993 - Named "Family Car of the Year" Sedan Finalist by Family Circle.
1994 - CY 1994 - NUMMI receives J.D. Power Silver Plant Award.
1994 - Named "Family Car of the Year" Sedan Finalist by Family Circle.
1994 - Named "Best Overall Value" in its class by Intellichoice
1995 - CY 1995 - NUMMI receives J.D. Power Bronze Plant Award.
1995 - CY 1995 - TMM Canada receives J.D. Power Gold Plant Award.
1996 - Minor front and rear styling update.
1997 - Among "Most Reliable Used Vehicles," MY 89-95 by Consumer Reports
1997 - Wagon discontinued.
1997 - Production for all U.S. units moved to North America.
1998 - Eighth generation introduced, new 1.8L engine developed.
1998 - Corolla wins MotorWeek "Drivers' Choice" award as "Best Small Car"
1998 - Among "Best Buys" - Consumer's Digest
1998 - "Best New Car" - Kiplinger Buyer's Guide to New Cars and Trucks
1999 - Among "Best Buys" - Consumer's Digest
1999 - Named "Best Compact Car in Initial Quality" - J.D. Power
1999 - "Best in Compact Car Segment" - J.D. Power Initial Quality Ranking
2000 - Added Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
2000 - Named "Best Buy" - Consumer's Digest
2001 - Features new exterior styling, also available in CE, LE and sporty S grade
2002 - CY 2002 - Named with Prius "Best Bets" by The Ultimate Car Book
2003 - Ninth generation Corolla is introduced, available in CE, LE and S grades.
2004 - Corolla LE named "10 Best Cars for Your Buck," compact sedan - Smart Money
2004 - Corolla LE named "Best Vehicles for $25,000 or Less," car - Consumer Reports
2004 - Corolla named "Most Dependable Compact Car" by J.D. Power & Associates
2005 - New high-performance XRS model with 170-hp engine; minor style freshening.
History:
Originally introduced in Japan in 1966, and the U.S. in 1968, the Corolla was intended to mix quality, style and economy into one package. The result was an instant U.S. success, and Corolla became the second best-selling imported vehicle in the U.S. in 1970.
The 1970 update came about as the U.S. market required a vehicle with more room and power than the original 1.1-liter Corolla could deliver. Powered by new 1.2- and 1.6-liter engines, the Corolla continued its best-selling ways in the U.S. From 1974-1977, Corolla was the best-selling vehicle in the world.
June, 1976 saw the five millionth Corolla roll off the production line. By 1982, with worldwide production at almost ten million units, Corolla was being exported from Japan to 116 countries worldwide.
Toyota joined with General Motors to re-open an older plant in Fremont, Calif., in 1984, creating New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI), where U.S. production of the Corolla would take place. Sharing production space with the Corolla was G.M.'s Chevrolet Nova (later replaced by the Geo Prizm.) Both were basically re-skinned Corollas.
1984 also saw the introduction of the Corolla Coupe equipped with a four cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine. Dubbed the GT-S, it offered the highest performance of any Corolla model, and remained in production until 1991.
In 1987, NUMMI's labor came to fruition with the introduction of the FX line of front-wheel drive vehicles.
In 1988, with the introduction of the fifth generation, all Corollas, except three-door hatchbacks, were front- or four-wheel drive. The model mix was now comprised of three-door hatchbacks and FXs, four-door sedans and five-door wagons, and available in either front- or four-wheel drive (All-Trac).
The 1993 Corolla, the sixth generation, was an all-new creation and drew heavily upon Camry and Lexus styling and engineering. Corolla came standard with a driver's side airbag, and was available with 1.6- and 1.8-liter engines. It had also moved to occupy the EPA classification of "compact", recently vacated by Camry's 1992 move to "mid-size." A passenger-side airbag was added for 1994.
By the end of 1993, Corolla worldwide production had exceeded 17-million units. Corolla is truly Toyota's "world car!"
1996 saw minor updates to Corolla's styling with a revised front fascia and one-piece faired-in tail lamp assembly. This year also saw the deletion of the LE grade to better delineate the difference between Corolla and Camry. Other changes involved new wheel covers and the addition and deletion of certain colors.
The 1997 model year saw the addition of enhanced side-impact protection to meet the strict Federal standard, and the discontinuation of the Wagon model. In order to continue to enhance Corolla's family value, a new Classic Edition model was introduced.
In the thirty years since its introduction, Corolla had sold more cars worldwide than any other nameplate!
For 1998, the all-new Corolla was powered by a new 120-horsepower 1.8-liter engine dubbed the 1ZZ-FE. All-new exterior styling brought Corolla back to sportier roots with the body registering a lower drag coefficient than a Supra Turbo.
Continuing Corolla's safety history (the first Toyota with passive seatbelts, first front-wheel drive Toyota sold in the US), the 1998 model went one step further. Standard equipment dual airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force-limiters worked in concert with Toyota's Passive Safety Body to meet or exceed all current and foreseeable safety standards worldwide.
An optional Sports Package became available that added a front sway bar, color-keyed mudguards, rocker panel extensions and white-faced gauges.
The 1999 model year saw option packages modified to further enhance Corolla's exceptional value.
For 2000, Corolla's power was improved by adding VVT-i variable-valve technology that increased engine horsepower from 120 to 125 without sacrificing fuel economy. The use of VVT-i also lowered emissions, enabling Corolla to become EPA-certified as a Low Emission Vehicle (LEV).
The 2001 model year received new styling to the exterior and was equipped with a standard five-speed manual transmission. The new S grade provided a sporty image with front grille and protective body side moldings and bucket seats. The S and LE grades were available with a four-speed ECT automatic transmission. The CE trim level was available with a three-speed automatic transmission. The 2001 Corolla was the first Toyota model to offer a safety inside-trunk release.
In 2002 the Corolla moved ahead unchanged. It still offered affordable and reliable transportation in three trim levels (CE, S and LE) to suit the individual customer.
The 2003 Corolla was completely redesigned and launched in February 2002. Visually and functionally, the new Corolla was longer, taller and wider. The new Corolla continued to be available in three grades, the value-driven CE, the upscale LE, and the sporty S grade. Even though the new Corolla was larger and heavier, it was both quicker and faster. Powered by a 1.8-liter, four-cylinder twin-cam engine with variable valve timing (VVT-i), Corolla produced 130 horsepower @ 6,000 rpm, an improvement of five horsepower over the previous generation, and 125 lb.-ft. of torque @ 4,200 rpm.
The Corolla carried over unchanged for the 2004 model year, with one exception to exterior color - Desert Sand Mica replaces Sandrift Metallic.
The big news for Corolla for 2005 is the addition of a new high-performance XRS model, packing a retuned 170-hp version of the Celica GT-S engine, a 6-speed manual transmission and specially tuned suspension. Visually, the XRS is similar to the Corolla S. The Corolla XRS offers enthusiasts a factory "tuned" and customized model at an affordable price and with a full factory warranty.
All Corolla models for 2005 feature a redesigned front grille, bumper and headlights, plus redesigned taillights. For the first time, the VSC system is available in Corolla S and LE models equipped with the automatic transmission. Various upgrades include an engine immobilizer, low tire pressure warning system with the optional ABS and shift-linked locks (automatic transmission only). The CE grade gains a height-adjustable driver's seat, and the LE offers an optional 6-disc in-dash CD changer.
What does it mean?
Corolla: The outer envelope or crowning portion of a flower.
Where is it built?
Corolla Standard, DX and LE four-door models were built at NUMMI, Fremont, Calif.; TMMC, Ontario, Canada; and Japan, with station-wagons built exclusively in Japan. Beginning in 1997, all Corollas were built at NUMMI and TMMC.
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Toyota Corolla Altis
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