Dubai - Al-Futtaim Motors, the exclusive distributor for Toyota in the UAE, today launched the latest addition to the market-leading range, the tenth generation of the world's best-selling vehicle, the all new Toyota Corolla. The launch took place at the prestigious Toyota Showroom at Dubai Festival City, one of the largest Toyota showrooms in the world.
Joining the many representatives of the UAE's media who attended were Simon Frith (the new Managing Director of Al-Futtaim Motors),Tony Barlow (the Senior General Manger of Sales & Marketing), and Shinichi Yasui, the Chief Engineer from the Toyota Development Centre in Japan, who led the team responsible for the design and development of the new Corolla.
At the launch, Simon Frith highlighted some of the milestones in the Corolla's remarkable history. Since its launch in 1966 the Corolla has become one of the most popular vehicles in automotive history. By 1979, the Corolla had overtaken the VW Beetle in terms of world-wide production volumes. Today, the ninth generation Corolla is sold in over 140 countries, with a production volume exceeding 30 million vehicles establishing its position as a truly global sedan, and the world's best-selling car.
Simon Frith commented that: "The Corolla's outstanding success is due to the fact that it has a legendary and un-rivaled reputation for providing motorists with value-for-money, build quality, durability and reliability for trouble-free motoring, low maintenance and low operating costs. These key customer benefits have created a very loyal customer following around the world, and here in the UAE, and have provided the platform for the tenth generation model.
"The new Corolla will deliver even more for our customers, with a dynamic, sporting design, a choice of responsive engines, and new features to meet the needs of a new generation of motorists. We are confident this all new Corolla will set new global standards for compact sedans."
Reviewing the position of the Corolla in the UAE auto market Tony Barlow commented that: "The Corolla competes in the important medium passenger car segment, which is the largest segment at around 30% of the total market. Since 2004, sales in this segment have almost doubled, and in 2006 sales increased by around 39% versus 2005.
The success of the Corolla is vital to our business. It is the highest-selling model in the Toyota range, accounting for around 22% of our total sales, and 43% of our passenger car sales. Its success has under-pinned Toyota's market-leadership, in that satisfied Corolla owners have remained very loyal to the brand over many years, and have gone on to own the other models in the range, as their lifestyles and affluence have improved along with the success of the UAE economy."
Regarding Corolla customers, Tony Barlow noted that: "The Corolla's key customer benefits have appealed to both private motorists and business users. Around 53% of our Corolla sales are made to private motorists, and 47% to business users. Within the business sector, the Corolla has always proved particularly popular with driving schools, car rental and, car leasing companies, and is the car of choice for the sales forces of business of all sizes.
"Although the competition in this key segment is tough, I am confident that the all new Corolla is going to appeal even more to compact sedan customers and that we will be requesting additional production from Toyota to meet the customer demand we are anticipating."
In developing the new Corolla, Toyota's goal was to produce a stylish car that would set new global standards for compact sedans, and that would broaden its appeal to a new generation of younger motorists, in addition to the existing loyal owners.
The all new Corolla is longer (by 130mm) and wider (by 65mm) than its predecessor, providing additional space, more luggage capacity, and affording it a very stable and purposeful stance on the road. Its dynamic distinctive and sporty exterior styling coveys a feeling of quality, differentiating it from conventional compact sedans, and will be sure to attract younger buyers.
The modern, flowing interior design and the materials used in the new Corolla complement the quality feel of its exterior design. The larger, roomy interior provides more space for driver and passengers to travel in comfort. The rear seats provide ample leg room, and a flat design has been adopted for the floor, for the added comfort of the rear passengers. The stylish exterior conceals a spacious trunk which has an additional 33 litres of cargo capacity. The rear seats can be easily split and folded into a 60/40 layout to provide additional, flexible cargo carrying space.
The Corolla's interior provides a welcoming, roomy and refined driving environment. From the steering wheel to the audio controls, every feature has been meticulously designed to provide the optimum combination of intuitive, easy operation with functionality.
The cleverly designed interior has many useful storage spaces, including a two-tier glove box, a double-layer center console, bottle storage in the front and rear doors, and both the front console and the rear armrest have cup-holders.
The fully-adjustable tilt and telescopic steering wheel is available with integral audio controls for safe operation and enhanced driver control. The electric power-steering provides smooth and effortless steering, and enables easy parking.
Improved, high-performance automatic and manual air-conditioning systems are available with a clean air-filter, to ensure that passengers remain cool in the hottest conditions and arrive at their destination feeling refreshed.
Other convenience features include a one-touch, powered moonroof, cruise control, and an audio system that supports MP3 and WMA recording formats. For added security the Corolla has wireless door locking with answer-back and an engine immobilizer.
The new Corolla is available with a new 1.6 litre VVT-I engine (delivering 107 HP at 6000 rmp), and a carry-over 1.8 litre VVT-I engine (delivering 130HP at 6000 rpm), coupled with a 4-speed ECT automatic, or a 5-speed manual transmission. These responsive engines have been developed to deliver the optimum blend of smooth acceleration, driving pleasure, fuel economy and low emissions, whether driving town or on the highway. They are the only engines in their class to adopt continuously variable valve timing on both the inlet and the outlet ports, to guarantee an advanced fuel-efficient and environmentally-friendly system.
A MacPherson strut suspension has been adopted for the front suspension, and a torsion beam for the rear. Combined with the electric power-steering, this delivers superior handling stability, with a stable, comfortable and quiet ride. Other measures have been adopted throughout the vehicle to reduce noise and vibration, including a double-structure hood insulator and dash silencer, together with acoustic windshield glass.
The new Corolla continues the Toyota promise of providing an exceptionally safe driving environment for the driver and passengers. Its high-rigidity GOA (Global Outstanding Assessment) body is designed to provide class-leading impact absorption performance, and it is as strong as it is stylish. It is available with Anti-lock Brakes with Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, to provide more efficient braking performance and added stability and control in difficult road conditions.
Superior passenger protection is provided by SRS (Supplemental Restraint System) side airbags, front airbags for the driver and passenger, curtain-shield airbags, and whiplash injury-lessening seats. Pedestrian protection performance has also been considered in the Corolla's design in the shape of the hood and the windscreen wipers to reduce injury in a collision.
The all new, and well-equipped Toyota Corolla has a starting price of AED 52,000 for the 1.6 litre engined models, and AED 55,000 for the 1.8 litre engined models.
Simon Frith concluded by saying: "The all new Corolla will continue to deliver the key customer benefits that the Corolla has provided to its loyal owners for several generations. But with its attractive styling, increased roominess, and new features, we believe it will also attract owners of competitive compact sedans, who are sure to include it on their consideration lists. I know that we will be requesting additional production from Toyota to meet the strong customer demand we are anticipating."
About Al-Futtaim Motors:
Al-Futtaim Motors is a member of the Al-Futtaim Group, the leading UAE business conglomerate. It operates the Toyota, Lexus and Hino franchises through a network of modern Sales Showrooms, Service and Parts facilities strategically located throughout the UAE to provide the optimum sales and after-sales service to its customers.
The company also operates twelve Tyre Express outlets in the UAE, where a comprehensive range of tyres and batteries are available, together with expert advice on tyre care and safety. The company's customer focus is exemplified in its guiding maxim of "We care and it shows".
For more information, please contact:
Geoffrey Watson
Head of Corporate Communications
Al-Futtaim Group
Tel: +971 4 228 2101
Ext.214
Fax: +971 4 227 9801
Email: victoria.jacks@gmasco.com
Web: www.al-futtaim.com
© Press Release 2007
