Toyota RAV4 sales cross 10 million units globally

After a couple of failed attempts by other car-makers to blur the difference between traditional SUVs built on frames and wannabe SUVs built on car-based monocoques, it was Toyota that popularized the 'crossover' with the RAV4. For those who aren't aware, RAV4 stands for Recreational Activity Vehicle: 4-wheel drive. In what is a sign of things to come, sales of the RAV4 zoomed past 10 million units this February.

Toyota's successful compact crossover is rapidly closing in on Ford Model T that sold over 15 million units globally. Volkswagen's iconic Beetle is not that far either, having sold over 20 million units in a life cycle that spawned several decades.

When it debuted in 1994, the RAV4 was one of a kind. It was built on a platform that borrowed heavily from the Corolla sedan but with its high ground clearance and 4-wheel drive hardware, the RAV4 could go where Corollas couldn't.

In the first year, just over 53,000 of these found homes. But the RAV4 was well-placed to ride the SUV boom and saw it's annual sales go up to about 240,000 units in 2004 and over 640,000 units in 2014. In 2019, Toyota sold over 965,000 RAV4s with almost half of them in the United States of America. Remarkably, the RAV4 took 17 years to cross the first 5 million mark and just 7 years to replicate it.

Having cemented its legacy over 25 years and four generations, the fifth-generation RAV4 took over the mantle and is now selling better than ever. From the rugged and off-road-friendly RAV4 Adventure to the chic-looking and powerful RAV4 Prime, Toyota has made sure there is one to suit most buyers and their lifestyles.

RAV4's initial success prompted a host of other car-makers like Honda, Nissan and Ford to follow suit with crossovers of their own. Guess what, every one of them tasted success albeit to varying degrees.

Toyota hasn't made much noise on achieving this milestone. After all, they are the makers of the world's best-selling car of all time - the venerable Corolla - that's closing in on sales of 50 million units globally. The RAV4 is nowhere near. 

But this is a big deal. Here's why. Though the RAV4 is the first crossover to find a place in the list of best-selling cars of all time, it is not going to be the last. With demand for these high-riding vehicles showing no signs of slowing down, it's just a matter of time before the clan take over.

Toyota launches the all-new Camry Hybrid in India

India's first automotive launch of 2019 happened today with Toyota bringing in the new Camry Hybrid to our shores today. Currently in its eighth generation, Camry is offered here in a sole Hybrid variant and priced at an introductory pan-India ex-showroom price of ₹36.95 Lakhs. Incredibly for a Toyota, that's cheaper than the outgoing Camry!

Based on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) that also underpins the expensive Lexus ES 300h, the Camry ditches the staid styling elements it's been known for and adopts the brand's latest design language. The fascia has been given an aggressive treatment that's dominated by a V-shaped grille and a huge trapezoidal air dam that almost occupies the whole bumper. The car features sharp LED projector lights up front and big wrap-around taillights at the rear. The aggressive front end aside, the rest of the car gives an impression of understated elegance which is what most customers in this segment look for.

The interiors are a total departure from the earlier Camry. The dashboard features a refreshingly modern design with a Y-shaped center console grabbing eyeballs. As one would expect from a car in this segment, the Camry comes fully loaded with a plethora of features. Standard kit includes 10-way power-adjusted front seats with ventilating function, 3-zone climate control, sunroof, rear seats with power recline and trunk access, 8.0-inch Human Machine Interface infotainment system with 9-speaker JBL audio, rear armrest with touch control switches, Heads-up display, wireless smartphone charger, cruise control and full leather upholstery. 

Toyota's commitment to safety continues with the new Camry featuring 9 airbags, Anti-lock Braking System with Electronic Brake-force Distribution and Brake Assist, Vehicle Stability and Traction Control System, Parking Assist, Tire Pressure Monitoring System, speed-sensing auto lock, impact-sensing fuel cut-off and ISOFIX and top tether anchor for child seats. 

The 2.5-liter gasoline hybrid engine under the hood has been carried over from the previous-generation model but the power and torque figures have been tweaked. In the new model, the engine generates 176 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 221 Nm of torque between 3,600 to 5,200 rpm. The Hybrid System Motor Generator delivers 118 horsepower and 204.1 Nm of torque. Transmission duties are handled by a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) with paddle shifters. Toyota claims an ARAI-certified fuel efficiency of 23.27 km/l, thanks to the hybrid system working its magic. 

Toyota's prowess in the premium segments are second to none in India and the Camry Hybrid will have no problems convincing its target clientele. Yes, its main rivals like the Skoda Superb and Volkswagen Passat are priced lower but they lack the 'Hybrid' tag the Camry comes with. Honda's Accord is a hybrid too but comes with a price tag that's even higher than the Camry. In effect, Toyota would have no problems selling the few hundred units the Japanese head-quarters would have earmarked for India.

Toyota and Suzuki inks deal for sharing cars in India

Toyota and Suzuki concluded an agreement yesterday to mutually supply hybrid and other vehicle models in India, a move that could decimate the competition if executed properly.

From signing a memorandum to explore business partnership early 2017 to announcing their co-operation for introduction of battery electric vehicles late last year to this agreement, Toyota and Suzuki have come a long way in a short time, aiming to play to their strenghts and bolster their respective positions in the Indian market.

Per the deal inked yesterday, Maruti-Suzuki would supply it's popular Baleno and Vitara Brezza to Toyota for sale through the latter's dealerships while Toyota would supply it's Corolla to be sold through Maruti-Suzuki's premium Nexa network. Let's not forget each of these three cars are top-sellers in their segments already and a deal like this is only going to increase their dominance further.

What makes this agreement even more significant is the sheer dominance of these two players in the Indian automotive industry. Maruti-Suzuki has been decimating competition in the A- and B-segments forever while Toyota has been competition's envy in the premium segments. Coming together of these two biggies, from exchanging popular models to introducing battery electric vehicles, promises to make things even better.

The competition should be scared, really scared!

2018 Auto Expo - Toyota unveils Yaris sedan for India

On the opening day of the 2018 Auto Expo in New Delhi, Toyota unveiled its next model for India, the Yaris sedan. A popular car in the South Asian markets like Singapore and Thailand where Toyota dominates the sales charts, the Yaris sedan would finally see Toyota battling with arch-rival Honda in the mid-size segment. Let's not forget the City has been ruling the roost in this segment for two decades now with the Ciaz and Verna challenging for the throne in recent years.

  

Unlike the Etios that was developed exclusively for emerging markets like India and therefore had evident cost cutting, the Yaris is a global Toyota model. And you realize that the moment you look at the car. Yes, the Yaris gets the proper Toyota treatment and looks like a smaller interpretation of the Corolla Altis. 

Up front, large swept-back headlights are placed on either side of a thin split grille that houses the logo. Underneath it is a large trapezoidal grille with black horizontal slats. LED DRLs are placed on the outermost edges of the grille while fog lamps get their own enclosures at the two corners of the bumper. A nice touch is the body-coloured lip underlining the bumper. The well-proportioned profile has a trio of subtle creases that break the monotony while the rear has large wraparound taillights that extend into the tailgate.

The interiors, like most Toyotas, are expected to be more functional than stylish featuring a dual-tone dashboard with a multi-functional steering wheel and a waterfall-like center console. Toyota appears to be gunning for the premium card here with the Yaris coming fully loaded with features like seven airbags, Traction Control System, Hill Start Assist, front parking sensors, powered front seats, roof-mounted rear air-conditioning vents and front and rear disc brakes amongst the other regular ones expected in a car from this segment.

Powering the Yaris would be the 1.5-liter petrol engine borrowed from the Etios, albeit in a higher state of tune. Producing a modest 108 horsepower, the engine is mated with either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed CVT-based automatic transmission. There will be no diesel option initially though a launch at a later date remains very much a possibility. 

Toyota has announced that the Yaris sedan would hit the dealerships this April with deliveries starting soon afterwards. Knowing Toyota, expect this sedan to be priced at a premium compared to its rivals from Maruti-Suzuki, Hyundai and Honda. That said, Toyota's strong brand pull and the fact that the Yaris is a well-known nameplate means there are high chances of this becoming yet another success story for the Japanese car-maker in India.

Jaguar F-Pace is 2017 World Car of the Year

One of the key events at the New York International Auto Show every year is the hand-out of the World Car Awards. The only one of it's kind in the industry, the World Car Awards brings together a jury panel comprising the best of automotive journalists and experts from diverse geographic locations. Naturally, these awards command a lot of respect and are amongst the most-coveted in the automotive industry.

Launched in 2004 and handed out since 2005, the World Car Awards aims to reward and recognize the best in the industry on a global scale and is not confined to a publication, country or continent. 

The 2017 titles and the award-winners were announced last week. 

2017 World Car of the Year

From an initial list of 23 vehicles from all over the world, ten were shortlisted before three finalists were announced at Geneva earlier this year. The top three were the Audi Q5, the Jaguar F-Pace and the Volkswagen Tiguan. With sales of SUVs and crossovers soaring around the world, the three finalists sort of vindicate the shift that's taking place in the industry. 75 journalists from 23 countries around the world evaluated each of the contenders and it was the Jaguar that came out on top. 

Ever since it debuted at the 2015 Frankfurt Motor Show, the F-Pace, the first-ever SUV from the British luxury brand, has been winning friends and fans worldwide and the World Car of the Year title is yet another feather in it's cap. It is well-styled, is lavishly appointed, gets some clever features and need not be restricted on the road with the standard All Wheel Drive system and Adaptive Surface Response technology, virtues that seem to have impressed the jurors.

2017 World Car of the Year - Jaguar F-Pace

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Mazda MX-5
• 2015 – Mercedes-Benz C-Class
• 2014 – Audi A3
• 2013 – Volkswagen Golf
• 2012 – Volkswagen Up!

2017 World Luxury Car 

To honour higher-priced, limited-selling, premium cars worldwide, the World Luxury Car title was carved out as a separate award in 2014. Mercedes-Benz walked away with it twice since then while the BMW 7-Series won the accolade last year. 

Mercedes-Benz returned to winning ways in 2017, with it's bread-and-butter E-Class claiming the top spot from an initial entry list of nine luxury cars from all over the world. The new E-Class has been receiving rave reviews and is expected to consolidate Mercedes-Benz's dominance in executive sedans. Another aspect that would make this victory sweeter for the folks at Stuttgart is the presence of arch-rival BMW's 5-Series as one of the finalists. Volvo's S90/V90 was the other finalist in fray for the title.

2017 World Luxury Car - Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – BMW 7-Series
• 2015 – Mercedes-Benz S Coupe
• 2014 – Mercedes-Benz S-Class

2017 World Performance Car

The Porsche 718 twins, the Cayman and the Boxster, emerged victorious in the World Performance Car shoot-out. 

To be eligible for this award, a vehicle must exhibit specific and overt sports/performance orientation, should be available for sale in atleast two continents and have an annual production run exceeding 500 vehicles. From an initial list of seven cars that met the criteria, three finalists - Audi R8 Spyder, McLaren 570S and Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster, were announced. In the end, it was Porsche that won the hearts of the jurors. Remarkably, this is Porsche's fifth World Performance Car title with the German brand already being a recipient of the award in 2006, 2012, 2013 and 2014.

2017 World Performance Car - Porsche 718 Cayman/Boxster

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Audi R8
• 2015 – Mercedes-AMG GT
• 2014 – Porsche 911 GT3
• 2013 – Porsche Boxster / Cayman
• 2012 – Porsche 911

2017 World Green Car

For the second straight year, Toyota walked away with the honours in this crucial 'green car' category. This time, it was the Prius Prime that tasted success. Crucially, the Toyota had to contend with the Chevrolet Bolt and the Tesla Model X, mighty contenders any which way you look at them. These three cars were the chosen finalists from an initial entry list of 12 vehicles that met the eligibility criteria.

2017 World Green Car - Toyota Prius Prime

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Toyota Mirai
• 2015 – BMW i8
• 2014 – BMW i3
• 2013 – Tesla Model S
• 2012 – Mercedes-Benz S250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY

2017 World Urban Car

A new title introduced for this year, the World Urban Car aims to identify and crown the best car to tackle the urban jungle that's getting crowded with each passing year. 

Commenting on the new title, World Car vice‐chairman, Mike Rutherford, commented, "It's an award whose time has come. Everyday cars in many ‐ perhaps most ‐ parts of the world will have to become smaller if road and parking space is to be found for them in increasingly packed towns and cities whose populations are swelling annually. This year's winner in our inaugural World Urban Car category proves that these small vehicles don't have to be cheap, undesirable and unpleasant to drive. Quite the opposite. It is among the best value‐for‐money products on the market".

And the car that was found worthy of all that praise is BMW's brilliant i3 (94 Ah). From an initial list of seven contenders, three finalists including the Citroen C3 and the Suzuki Ignis were chosen before deciding on the winner.

2017 World Urban Car - BMW i3 (94 Ah)

2017 World Car Design of the Year

With a set of eligibility criteria that's like no other, the World Car Design of the Year aims to recognize vehicles that pushes the established boundaries in their design and styling. A 6-member design panel were first asked to review the candidates and establish a short-list of recommendation for the jurors. 

In the end, out of the three finalists that included the Mercedes-Benz S-Class Cabriolet and the Toyota C-HR, the Jaguar F-Pace walked away with the title, it's second of the year. With bold and sexy styling that looked every bit a Jaguar, we commented that the F-Pace was amongst the most beautiful crossovers/SUVs we have seen and it seems the design experts and jurors had similar opinion. With the F-Type already winning the title in 2013, F-Pace's victory is the second time a Jaguar is crowned the World Car Design of the Year.

2017 World Car Design of the Year - Jaguar F-Pace

Previous Winners:

• 2016 – Mazda MX-5
• 2015 – Citroen C4 Cactus
• 2014 – BMW i3
• 2013 – Jaguar F-Type
• 2012 – Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

50 Years of the Toyota Corolla: Here's a look back at the world's best-selling and most-popular car!

After 50 years of production and over 44 million units sold worldwide, the Toyota Corolla needs no introduction. The Corolla is not just the world's largest selling car year over year but also the best selling car ever in automotive history. As Toyota celebrates the 50th anniversary of this iconic car this year, here are some truly staggering figures about the Corolla with some fun facts thrown in for good measure:

Debut

• Toyota Corolla made its debut at the 1966 Tokyo Motor Show

Sales Milestones

• Within 4 years of launch, sales of Corolla reached 1 million units in 1970
• Sales quadrupled over the next 6 years with the Corolla going past the 5 million mark in 1976
• The '10 million' milestone was reached in 1982, just 16 years after the car's launch
• The years 1994, 2005 and 2013 saw sales crossing 20, 30 and 40 million units respectively
• As of September 2016, cumulative global sales of Corolla was a staggering 44.1 million units
• North America has been the biggest market for the Corolla followed by China and Asia (excluding China)
• Roughly 3 out of every 10 Corollas sold have been in Toyota's home market of Japan
• 1 out of every 5 Toyotas on road worldwide is a Corolla, a remarkable achievement for a brand that sells over 40 cars

Production Statistics

• Corolla production started at Toyota's Takaoka plant in Japan in 1966
• Corolla assembly overseas started in Malaysia and Australia in 1968 through CKD kits
• Thailand was the first country outside Japan to produce the Corolla, way back in 1972
• As of 2016, Corollas are being produced in 13 countries and 16 plants
• Of the 44 million Corollas on road, roughly 26 million were produced in Japan with the remaining 18 million coming from outside the country

Fun Facts

• Standing bumper to bumper, the 44.1 million Corollas would cover 5 rounds of the earth
• Toyota sold 1 Corolla every 15 seconds worldwide in 2015
• The total driving distance of the Corollas sold in 2015 would cover more than 50 round trips between the earth and the sun  

Having been in existence for five decades, there has been a Corolla for every Tom, Dick and Harry out there. On sale in more than 150 countries right now, this car has seen 11 generations so far and the best part is the Corolla is showing absolutely no signs of slowing down. In fact, it's going from strength to strength.

So, how did the Corolla evolve through the years? Read on, to find out.

The first-generation Corolla (1966 - 1970)

As Japan recovered from the devastating impact of the World War, Toyota realized the need for a car for the masses - a sort of the quintessential 'family car.' The result was the Corolla, which meant "crown of flowers."

Tatsuo Hasegawa, who led the development of the Corolla, came up with a '80-plus points' concept when designing and developing the car. In pursuit of a balanced high score in all areas of development, the Corolla debuted with unmatched practicality and longevity as its major virtues. With a sporty design featuring subtle curves and semi-fastback body style, a newly-developed 'K' model 1,100 cc engine, McPherson strut-based front suspension, floor-mounted gear shift, individual front bucket seats and aluminium enclosures for headlights, the Corolla was well and truly ahead of its time and segment. It's no wonder then the Corolla became Japan's best-seller within 3 years of launch.

Coinciding with the so-called 'age of motorization' and the boom in Japanese economy post-war, the foundation for a truly global automotive success story was set.

Three body styles were offered in the form of a 2-door sedan, a 4-door sedan and a 4-door van. 

The second-generation Corolla (1970 - 1974)

Launched in 1970, the second-generation Corolla built on the favourable reputation generated by its predecessor. It was bigger, more powerful and offered more comfort for the customer, thus reinforcing it's position as the perfect car for the family. As it became more popular, the Corolla hit a production and sales milestone of 1 million units that year. The 1.1-liter engine gave way for a bigger 3K 1.2-liter mill. Additionally, 1.4 and 2T-G 1.6-liter engines were also on offer, depending on the variant. Noteworthy was the expansion of sporty Corolla offerings during this period, christened the Corolla Levin.

Four body styles were offered - 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 4-door van and coupe. 2.40 million units of these were produced before the third-generation model arrived.  

The third-generation Corolla (1974 - 1979)

At a time when the automotive industry was experiencing a turbulent phase, thanks to the oil crisis and the increasing regulations on vehicular emissions, the third-generation Corolla debuted with a bigger, more stylish design and more fuel-efficient engines. For the first time in Corolla's history, wind tunnel studies had been used to tweak the final design. The increase in body size ensured the collision safety standards of the time were met while emission standards were taken care of by Toyota's proprietary Toyota Total Clean System that perfected the catalyst-based exhaust purification system and electronically-controlled fuel injection system.

This was the period when Corolla's exports rose sharply, making it the world's best-selling car for the first time. It's remarkable that the Corolla has been holding on to the tile ever since with it's global success story continuing unabated. 

Five body styles - 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, 4-door van, coupe and 3-door hatchback - were on offer. This model achieved a total production volume of 3.75 million units.

The fourth-generation Corolla (1979 - 1983)

As Japan and the rest of the world was recovering from the oil shock, the design concept of the new model - 'Luxury car status and features, with excellent fuel economy' - matched the needs of the era. This is the only Corolla in history that featured four round headlights and is known for its straight lines and the introduction of a diesel engine in the lineup towards the end of the cycle. Other engines on offer included the 1.3-liter 4K-U, 1.5-liter 3A-U and the sporty 1.6-liter 2T-GEU DOHC mill. This generation also saw the conventional leaf spring-based rear suspension ditched in favour of a 4-link coil with a lateral rod.

Domestic and overseas sales continued to go up with annual exports going past 500,000 units in 1980 and the Corolla surpassing Volkswagen Golf in production volume between 1979 and 1982. During this time, the Corolla's production also reached a significant landmark of 10 million units.

Seven body styles - 2-door sedan, 4-door sedan, van, coupe, hatchback, hardtop and wagon - were on sale during this generation. 

The fifth-generation Corolla (1983 - 1987)

This was the time when the Corolla saw a major shift from the front-engine rear wheel drive layout (FR) to the front-engine front wheel drive (FF) layout for the mainstream variants. While the sedan variants adopted the FF layout in pursuit of increased passenger space and seating comfort, the coupe variants persisted with their FR layout for a sporty feel and more driving excitement. A new 1.8-liter engine was added to the existing lineup of 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 liters. This period also saw the birth of the legendary FR 86, a sort of a cult within Toyota, featuring a new 4A-G 1.6-liter DOHC engine.

Corollas in every conceivable body type - 4-door sedan, 5-door sedan, 2-door coupe, 3-door coupe, 3-door hatchback, 5-door hatchback, wagon and van - were on sale during this period!

The sixth-generation Corolla (1987 - 1991)

'To go beyond the norms of the class' was the intent behind the development of the sixth-generation model. As a result, this generation of Corollas were lower, wider and employed rounded lines for that sleek high-class look. These Corollas were known for their exceptional quality, high performance and, dare we say, fun to drive characteristics. The engine lineup featured 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6-liter petrols and a 1.8-liter diesel. Believe it or not, a full-time 4WD system was part of the drivetrain lineup, the first time in a Corolla! 

Updated strut-type suspensions for all four wheels, an electronically-controlled variable damping force damper called the TEMS (Toyota Electronic Modulation System), soft-touch materials at critical places in the cabin, lumbar and side support for front seats with full-flat reclining option - you name it and this Corolla had it almost 30 years back. 

Body styles included a 4-door sedan, a 2-door coupe, a 3-door hatchback, a 5-door hatchback, a van and a wagon.

The seventh-generation Corolla (1991 - 1995)

Corolla of this generation was more of an evolution of the sixth-generation model, albeit with 'dramatic improvements made on every aspect' as Toyota proudly declares. Quality levels were remarkably high throughout and it wouldn't be an exaggeration if we tell you that this generation of the Corolla played a key role in cementing the image that Japanese cars enjoy today. The economic downturn in Japan meant sales dropped in Toyota's home market but export business remained brisk with the Corolla and its derivatives clearly the world's best-selling nameplate by now. Five petrol engines with 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6 liter displacements and a 2.0-liter 2C diesel engine were the power choices available.

Passenger safety got a fillip with features like Antilock Braking System (ABS), Supplementary Restraint System (SRS) Airbag for the driver, side impact beams and high-mounted stop lamp appearing on Corollas for the first time. 

Six body variations, including a sedan, a 2-door coupe, a van, a wagon, a 3-door hatchback and a 4-door hardtop, were available with this generation. 

The eighth-generation Corolla (1995 - 2000)

As the Corolla grew bigger and more luxurious with each passing generation, it was starting to stray away from the original's concept of a simple and convenient compact car. The eighth-generation Corolla returned back to the roots by being sleeker and lighter. Engine lineup continued to be the 1.3, 1.5 and 1.6-liter mecha twin-cam units with the flagship model getting the 4A-G 1.6-liter DOHC VVT mill. Diesel option continued to be the 2.0-liter 2C-III unit.

In addition to the sedans, coupes and wagons we know, new body types like the Corolla Seres 4-door hard top and the Corolla Spacio MPV were brought in to the lineup to make it a complete family of models.

The ninth-generation Corolla (2000 - 2006)

This was the 'coming of age' of the Corolla brand from being a safe, no fail option in Toyota's lineup to the one that defined the 21st century compact car. Every aspect of the car was developed from scratch with a design that was more European than ever. Sales slumped in Japan due to prevailing conditions but the demand in the United States of America, Europe and the rest of Asia, particularly China, meant that the volumes were never threatened. The powertrain lineup was upgraded using a variable valve timing and lift mechanism (VVT-i) in 1.3, 1.5 and 1.8-liter configurations while the diesel engine was also boosted with 2.2-liters of displacement. New age safety features like Vehicle Stability Control (VSC), Traction Control System (TCS) were employed for the first time on a Corolla during this period. 

The coupe model (Levin) was discontinued with the launch of this generation while the lineup was rejigged to include sedan, wagon (Fielder), 3-door and 5-door hatchbacks, MPV (Spacio) and a new derivative model in the Japan and the United States dubbed the Matrix.

For the first time ever, the Corolla, hitherto a popular private import option in the country, was officially launched in India. The North American version was the one that made it here and, needless to say, it set new standards for quality and reliability soon after its launch.

The tenth-generation Corolla (2006 - 2013)

Debuting on the 40th anniversary of the original, the necessity for Toyota to develop the Corolla with a global point of view and a global scale was felt more than ever. For instance, the dynamics were tuned with European customers in mind, the space and practicality aspects had the American customers covered while quality and reliability continued to be top notch as ever.

India continued to be in the scheme of things with Toyota launching the European version of the tenth-generation Corolla here with the suffix Altis. The Altis went straight to the top of the sales charts as soon as it was launched, a position the Corolla hasn't relinquished in the Indian market yet.

The eleventh-generation Corolla (2013 - Present)

With a daring and aggressive design, the current generation Corolla broke away from the mold of staid and boring designs of the past. With renewed focus on chassis dynamics and distinct designs for each of the three regions where the car is a best-seller, the Corolla of today truly represents the DNA inherited over the last five decades of existence. 

A face-lifted version has just made its debut and, lest we forget, the Corolla is still the best-selling car in the world. 

That's some history there! Few cars on earth can boast the legacy or replicate the popularity of the Corolla. As often said, reaching the top is one thing, but staying there is a different thing altogether. Kudos Toyota, for staying at the top for five decades with the Corolla and managing the success so well so far!

Corolla 50th Anniversary Edition (USA)

As part of the celebrations, Toyota had rolled out a limited "50th Anniversary" Edition of the Corolla in the United States of America, the car's biggest and most important market. Limited to just 8,000 units, the 50th Anniversary Edition gets an exclusive 'Black Cherry Pearl' exterior colour, all black interiors with contrasting black cherry stitching on the seats, gear shifter and arm rest, black cherry theme on the dash panel and door trim, unique floor mats and a badge on the boot. 

No, you can't buy one of these now. We are sure all of these are already sold out. But wait, the Corolla is fast approaching the '50 million' landmark and, with no other automobile in history reaching that milestone, Toyota might spring a grand surprise to mark the occasion!

Toyota Fortuner sales cross 100,000 units in India

Toyota Fortuner, India's largest selling premium SUV, just crossed a significant milestone with cumulative sales going past 100,000 units this week. With that, the Fortuner becomes the best selling and the most successful premium vehicle ever in the country. No other automobile priced above the ₹2 Million mark in India has achieved the kind of success and seen the kind of volumes the Fortuner has. 

The reasons are clear for all to see. The Fortuner offers a combination that’s just too hard to resist – pull of ‘Brand Toyota’ that’s probably bettered only by Maruti-Suzuki amongst the mass market brands, macho styling coupled with amazing road presence in a country that loves SUV styling elements, rock-solid reliability that can dismiss broken terrain with aplomb and trusted yet affordable after-sales service in a cost conscious market like ours. How many other vehicles on sale offer all these on a platter? 

When it was launched in 2009, the Fortuner was only available with a 3.0-liter engine under the hood with a full time All Wheel Drive system. Despite the lack of variants and trim levels, Toyota hit the bull’s eye with sales of the Fortuner steadily on the rise. In fact, Toyota sold as many of these as they could make with rivals unable to mount any sort of threat. Barring a few months earlier this year when Ford launched the new Endeavour, the Fortuner has always been the best-seller in its segment. There were months when Fortuner sold more than thrice as much as the cumulative sales of all of its rivals! Believe us, we ain't kidding.

For it’s part, Toyota kept adding more variants and brought in facelifts at regular intervals. While the first-generation model received a noticeable facelift in 2012, the all-new second-generation Fortuner debuted last month. Toyota’s New Global Architecture that underpins the Fortuner has been a cash cow for the Japanese car-maker in India. The Innova Crysta MPV, also built on the same platform, is yet another resounding success story that has decimated rivals on its way to the top of the segment.

Within a few weeks of launch, the new Fortuner has amassed over 6,000 bookings with Toyota delivering as many as 2,000 units last month. Considering the new Fortuner’s price tag that starts at ₹26 Lakhs for the base variant, that’s an incredible start! Mark our words, the next 100,000 isn’t going to take 7 years.

Toyota launches the new Fortuner in India

Any which way you look at it, the Toyota Fortuner has been a textbook success in the Indian automotive industry. Ever since its launch, this macho Toyota SUV sold in numbers unheard of for a vehicle priced above INR 20 Lakhs. And the less said about its competitors, the better it is for them. The Fortuner was so dominant that it sold more than the cumulative sales of all of its competitors. The launch of the new Ford Endeavour earlier this year finally proved to be a real challenge for Toyota and here they are wasting no time in launching the new second-generation Fortuner here.

The first-generation Fortuner made a name for itself with its butch looks and macho appeal. The new model tries to accomplish the same, albeit in a completely different way. Sleek Bi-beam projector headlights, funky character lines in profile, wrap-around rear windows with the unique kink and sharp LED taillights have transformed the Fortuner into one modern-looking SUV. The aggressive grille gets a healthy dose of chrome as do the foglamp surrounds and tailgate. Other traits like the extra large dimensions and imposing stance are carried over from the previous model.

Just like the exteriors, the interiors have underwent a complete transformation. The cabin appears to be better built, better finished and more luxurious than the outgoing model. The feature list has expanded significantly as well with the Fortuner now getting automatic headlamps, smart key with push button start, fully automatic powered tailgate, leather upholstery, 8-way power adjustable driver's seat, paddle shifters (automatic only), cruise control and dual zone climate control as standard. Top notch safety kit include seven airbags, ABS with EBD, Whiplash injury protection, ISOFIX anchorage points and 3-point seat belts for all passengers.

Built on Toyota's New Global Architecture, the Fortuner shares its underpinnings with the Innova Crysta MPV and the Hilux pick-up truck. Two engine options - a 2.7-liter petrol developing 164 horsepower and a 2.8-liter turbo diesel churning out 175 horsepower - are on offer. The petrol variants are available in 2WD configuration only with the option of a 5-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission. On the other hand, the diesel variants can be had with 4WD configuration as well. Transmission options in the diesel variants include a 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic gearboxes. 

The petrol variants are priced between INR 25.92 to 27.61 Lakhs while the diesel variants are priced from INR 27.52 Lakhs for the 2WD MT variant to INR 31.12 Lakhs for the top-end 4WD AT variant. 

The new Fortuner's main rivals include Ford Endeavour, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Chevrolet Trailblazer and Ssangyong Rexton, all using body-on-frame construction like the Toyota. By virtue of being in the same price point, monocoque crossovers like the Honda CR-V and Hyundai Santa Fe might also be cross-shopped by some. 

While the old Fortuner just started to lose a bit of its sheen to the new Endeavour, the arrival of the new Fortuner should bring Toyota back to pole position. Keep a close eye on this potential slug-fest between Toyota and Ford!