When did they stop making the Toyota Corona?
The Toyota Corona was discontinued in 2001 in most markets, with production ending around that year after a long run dating back to 1957. Some regions saw earlier wind-downs, but by the early 2000s the badge had been retired broadly.
A brief history of the Corona
From its debut in 1957, the Corona evolved through numerous generations, serving as Toyota’s mid-range sedan in many markets and helping the brand expand globally. Over time, as Toyota reorganized its lineup to emphasize core nameplates, the Corona’s role diminished and the decision was made to retire the badge. The late 1990s to early 2000s marked the end of the Corona in most regions, with the final models sold around 2001 in Japan and in a few export markets.
Here are the milestones that mark the Corona's life on the road:
- 1957: The Corona debuted in Japan as a compact sedan, launching Toyota’s foray into a growing postwar market.
- 1960s–1970s: The line expanded internationally, spawning multiple generations and regional variants to suit diverse markets.
- 1980s: The Corolla-based and Carina platforms began to absorb market share, nudging the Corona toward retirement in several regions.
- 1990s–2001: The Corona persisted in some markets into the late 1990s and early 2000s, with the final Corona models sold around 2001 in Japan and select export markets.
These milestones illustrate how the Corona evolved and why the badge was gradually retired across regions as Toyota streamlined its sedan lineup.
Regional wind-downs and retirement
North America
In the United States and Canada, the Corona badge faded as Toyota leaned on the Camry and other models, with no new Corona offerings after the early 1980s in many cases.
Europe and other markets
Across Europe and other parts of the world, Corona sales diminished through the 1980s and 1990s, with some markets receiving only limited Corona variants before the nameplate disappeared.
Japan
Japan retained the Corona lineup longer than most regions, but the badge was officially retired around 2001 as Toyota shifted to other sedan names and platforms, such as Premio/Allion and Corolla-derived models.
What came after the Corona
With the Corona retired, Toyota consolidated its sedan lineup around nameplates like the Camry globally and Japan-origin models such as Premio, Allion, and other Corolla-derived offerings. The Carina lineage also filled the gap in some markets, while the Corona’s traditional size and market segment were absorbed into newer models rather than revived under the Corona badge.
Summary
The Corona’s production ended around 2001, after decades of evolution. While the badge is no longer used, the model’s legacy lives on in Toyota’s contemporary sedan lineup and the design and engineering concepts that carried over to newer generations.
