What was the old name of the Toyota Corolla?
The old name associated with the Toyota Corolla in some markets was Toyopet.
When the Corolla first launched in 1966, Toyota used the Toyopet branding for several models in the United States, including smaller cars and related lines such as the Toyopet Crown and Toyopet Corona. To sharpen branding and appeal, Toyota gradually shifted the small car to the Corolla name in the late 1960s, and Corolla became the global standard in the years that followed.
Regional branding and milestones
The following highlights show how the naming varied by market and how the transition to the Corolla name occurred.
- Early imports were sold under the Toyopet banner (often alongside other models like Toyopet Corona); the model that would become the Corolla was renamed to Toyota Corolla around 1968–1969 to improve market clarity.
- The car was marketed as Corolla from the outset in its home market and abroad; Toyopet branding was reserved for other Toyopet models rather than this specific small car.
- The Corolla name was used from its introduction in these regions, with little or no Toyopet branding for this model.
In summary, the “old name” most associated with the Corolla in the United States was Toyopet, while globally the model has been known as Corolla since its early days. The Toyopet name remained part of Toyota’s broader lineup for other models during that era.
Additional context
Toyopet era and related models
During the early years of Toyota’s export attempts, the Toyopet brand encompassed several models, including the Toyopet Corona and Toyopet Crown. The Corolla itself was eventually branded as Corolla, helping distinguish it from the larger Toyopet lineup and contributing to its global identity.
Summary
The Toyota Corolla’s old branding in some markets was Toyopet, notably in the United States, where the model was rebranded to Corolla in the late 1960s. Globally, however, the Corolla name has been used from early on, with Toyopet remaining associated mainly with other models in Toyota’s lineup from that era.
