When did they stop making Toyota Corona?
The Toyota Corona ended production in 2001. The nameplate was retired as Toyota reorganized its mid-size sedan lineup and shifted to newer models like the Premio and Allion in Japan.
The Corona's lifecycle began in 1957 and stretched across generations in many regions. This article chronicles when production ceased, why Toyota shifted away from the Corona, and what models followed in its wake.
Historical milestones in the Corona's lifespan
Key moments in the Corona’s development and retirement are highlighted below.
- 1957: Toyota introduces the Corona as a compact family car, beginning a long lineage that would span multiple body styles and generations.
- 1960s–1980s: Generational updates expand the Corona lineup for global markets, including sedans, wagons, and coupé variants.
- 1990s: The market landscape for mid-size sedans shifts toward newer Toyota names and platforms, while the Corona remains in production in some regions for additional years.
- 2001: Toyota retires the Corona nameplate worldwide, consolidating its mid-size sedan offerings under other model lines such as Premio and Allion in Japan, with related Camry/Carina iterations in other markets.
In summary, the Corona’s production effectively ended in 2001, as Toyota redirected its mid-size strategy and absorbed the Corona’s role into newer models.
What replaced the Corona in Toyota's lineup?
As the Corona faded from production, Toyota introduced new nameplates to carry its mid-size sedan responsibilities, with regional variations in how replacements were branded and marketed.
- Japan: The Premio and Allion were introduced around 2001 to take over the mid-size sedan segment that the Corona had occupied.
- Other markets: Depending on region, the Corona’s role was absorbed by other Toyota mid-size models such as the Camry/Carina family lines or by Corolla-based successors, reflecting regional product strategies.
These shifts illustrate how Toyota migrated customers from the Corona to newer, modernized platforms while maintaining the same market segment focus.
Summary
The Toyota Corona was produced for several decades, beginning in 1957, but the nameplate was retired in 2001 as Toyota reorganized its mid-size sedan offerings. In Japan, replacements like the Premio and Allion emerged to continue the Corona’s legacy, while other regions relied on related Camry/Carina or Corolla-derived models to fill the same market niche. The end of the Corona marks a broader era of Toyota consolidating its sedan lineup around newer branding and shared platforms.
