Toyota Corolla claims to be world's best-selling car

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A. announced that the Toyota Corolla's global sales has hit 12.2 lakh (1.22 million units) in 2013. This figure is according to the company’s internal data based on individual vehicle sales reporting from its distributors. The company claims a 5 per cent year-over-year increase, which confirms the Corolla’s perennial popularity among loyal customers in approximately 150 countries and regions around the world.

“The Corolla stands as the international face of Toyota and touches millions of people across the globe every day,” said Bill Fay, Toyota division group vice president and general manager.  “Being the world’s best-selling car speaks volumes about the satisfaction and loyalty our customers feel about the Corolla and Toyota.”

According to a statement released by the company, Toyota Corolla’s worldwide cumulative sales since its introduction in 1966 topped 4 crore (40.72 million) units as of February 2014, making it the all-time best-selling vehicle model.

Based on Toyota’s analysis of Polk new vehicle registration data from IHS Automotive, which captures 96 percent of global new vehicle volumes, the Corolla is the world’s best-selling vehicle model for 2013 with global registrations of 10,98,524 units.

This figure includes Corolla sedan and other variations in name such as Corolla Axio, Corolla Altis and Corolla EX 4-door sedans.  The subscripts “Axio” “Altis” and “EX” denote trim levels of the 4-door Corolla sedan sold in various global regions, including Japan.  Also included are the Corolla-badged Fielder and Rumion 5-door wagons.

Based on Toyota’s analysis, various competitive claims based on “single nameplate” registrations may have excluded data for Corolla Axio, Corolla Altis, Corolla EX, Corolla Fielder and Corolla Rumion, which are identified and marketed as Corolla sedans and wagons.

Toyota has the Corolla Atis on sale in India and is about to launch the next-generation 2014 Toyota Corolla in country in May 2014.