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The New Toyota Corolla

The world's all-time best-selling automobile, the Toyota Corolla , was introduced in Japan in 1966 and the U.S. in 1968. Forty years later, this popular economy car is still attracting a million customers a year. Cumulative U.S. sales surpassed 7 million Corollas; worldwide, the total exceeds 30 million.

By 1982, with cumulative worldwide production at almost ten million units, Corolla  was being sold in 116 countries.

?In the U.S., Toyota joined General Motors in re-opening an older plant in Fremont, California in 1984, creating the New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI). NUMMI became the first U.S. manufacturing site for the popular Corolla, with production beginning in 1987.

?The exterior styling of the 1998 Corolla  registered a lower dragcoefficient than a Supra Turbo.

The first models offered in the U.S. were subcompacts equipped with a 1.1-liter, four-cylinder SOHV engine.
Toyota upgraded the Corolla  in 1970, adding more room and the power of 1.2-and 1.6-liter engines. In the mid-1970s, Corolla became the best selling automobile in the world.
The five millionth Corolla rolled off the production line in June 1976.
In 1984, Toyota introduced 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.
By 1988, with the introduction of the fifth generation, all Corollas except three-door hatchbacks had front-or four-wheel drive. The model mix then included three-door hatchbacks andFXs, four-door sedans and five-door wagons.
The sixth-generation Corolla, launched in 1993, was the first with a driver?s side airbag, and offered with 1.6-and 1.8-liter engines. The new, larger Corolla  was reclassified as a ?compact,?taking the spot vacated by the 1992 Camry's move to ?mid-size.?A passenger-side airbag was added in 1994.
The 1997 model was equipped with side-impact protection to meet strict federal crash standards. The wagon model was discontinued and a new Classic Edition was introduced. In 1998, a new 120-horsepower 1.8-liter engine dubbed the 1ZZ-FE powered the all-new Corolla.
Continuing Corolla 's safety developments, the 1998 model included dual airbags and front seatbelts with pretensioners and force-limiters working in concert with Toyota?s Passive Safety Body to meet or exceed then current and foreseeable safety standards worldwide. An optional Sports Package added a front sway bar, color-keyed mudguards, rocker panel extensions and white-faced gauges.
In 2000, Corolla's  power was improved by addingVVTivariable-valve technology that increased engine horsepower from 120 to 125 without sacrificing fuel economy. The use ofVVTialso lowered emissions, enabling Corolla  to become EPA-certified as a Low Emission Vehicle.
The 2001 Corolla received new exterior styling and was equipped with a standard five-speed manual transmission. A 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 four-speed ECT automatic transmission. The 2001 Corolla  was the first Toyota model to offer a safety inside-trunk release.
The 2003 Corolla marked this model's ninth generation. It was powered by a 1.8-liter 2ZZ dual overhead cam engine and six-speed manual transmission, delivering 170 horsepower

Corolla  Chronology
1966 Introduced in Japan.

1968 Introduced in U.S. as sub-compact. Equipped with a 1.1 L 4-cylinder SOHC engine.

1970 Second generation, roomier with a 1.2 L engine. Becomes the number two best-selling import.

1971 1.6L engine available. Total U.S. sales exceed 200,000

1974 Third generation introduced. Total U.S. sales exceed 500,000

1976 5-millionth Corolla  produced in June

1977 Total U.S. sales exceed 1,000,000

1979 Fourth generation introduced

1981 Total U.S. sales exceed 2,000,000

1983 10-millionth Corolla  produced in March

1984 Joint plant venture with General Motors (NUMMI) opens to producethe fifth         generation, front-wheel model.                                                                     

1987 FX model introduced. Total U.S. sales exceed 3,000,000

1988 Sixth generation introduced

1990 15-millionth Corolla produced in June.

1992 Total U.S. sales exceed 4,000,000

1993 Seventh generation introduced, moves to larger compact size

1997 All Corolla  production for the U.S. now produced in North America. Wagon discontinued. Total cumulative U.S. sales exceed 5,000,000

1998 Eight generation introduced, new 1.8L engine available.

2000 Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) engine available.

2001 Total U.S. cumulative sales exceed 6,000,000

2002 Ninth generation 2003 model year Corolla introduced