Corolla goes platinum

What timing. For its fortieth anniversary in Australia, the Toyota Corolla has shot past another milestone -- one million units sold locally.

Corolla is one of the oldest nameplates in Australia, having been introduced in 1967 as the original KE10 model -- pictured with the latest 150 Series model (more here) and David Buttner, Toyota's senior executive director sales and marketing.

It's currently the best selling small car in Australia and Toyota's top seller.

Just look at the statistics. Australians -- in a country that represents barely one third of one per cent of the world's population -- has purchased three per cent of all Corolla production since day one.

David Buttner attributes Corolla's evergreen image in Australia to being the right vehicle for the times -- and offering the important things that owners want from a car.

"It's dependable, affordable and fuel-efficient - core values that bring Corolla drivers back to this popular vehicle, year after year after year" he said.

Over the years, the Corolla has grown from what would pass for a light car these days to a vehicle on the cusp of medium segment dimensions. Many different variants have broadened the Corolla's appeal throughout that period. These have included 4x4 wagons, high performance hot hatches and light commercials.

Although two thirds of all Corollas sold here were also built or assembled here, the Corolla is no longer locally manufactured, having made way for the Avalon large car in 1999.

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