Run-away success Corolla hits 1 million mark

Team members at Toyota South Africa Motors, the source of some of the Japanese brand imports into Nigeria celebrated as the one millionth Corolla manufactured in South Africa rolled off the production line at the company’s Prospecton Plant in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal.

In commemoration of this milestone, the white Toyota Corolla that came off the production line last Wednesday crowns six years of successful production in which the Corolla was built in both left- and right hand drive variants in order to meet specific needs of respective markets.

The cars were exported to regions including Eastern and Western Europe, the Caribbean and Africa. The Corolla was first introduced in South Africa in 1975 and soon became the country’s favourite family vehicle including other African countries.

It has been produced at Toyota’s Prospecton plant since introduction, while its local content was gradually increased and the range widened to include left- and right hand drive models for various export markets.

Industry watchers are of the opinion that the one millionth Corolla will find pride of place next to the one millionth Hilux in Toyota’s museum at its Sales and Marketing head office in Sandton.

But the Prospecton Plant doesn’t take a breather. It is preparing the manufacturing facility to start production of the new Corolla. It would be recalled that the new model was revealed at this year’s Johannesburg International Motor Show last October.