When was the last Toyota Corona made?
The last Toyota Corona was produced in 2001.
The Corona line ran for more than four decades, beginning in 1957 and ending in the early 2000s in most markets. Production and end dates varied by region as Toyota shifted its lineup toward newer models. This article traces the end of the Corona era and what followed in Toyota's broader strategy.
A brief history of the Corona
The Toyota Corona began as a compact sedan introduced in 1957 under the Toyopet umbrella and evolved through many generations, body styles, and regional variants. It served as Toyota's traditional family car in numerous markets, overlapping with the Corolla and Carina lines as Toyota reorganized its mid-size and compact offerings over the decades.
End of production and market retirements
In Japan, the Corona nameplate was retired in 2001, aligning with Toyota's shift toward newer sedan designs built on the Camry platform and the evolving Corolla family. Worldwide, end dates varied by market, with some regions phasing the model out in the late 1990s and others carrying on into the early 2000s before full retirement.
Below are some high-level notes on how production ended across regions.
- Japan: Formal end of Corona production in 2001; the domestic lineup moved toward newer Camry-based sedans and related models.
- Europe and North America: The Corona line was largely phased out earlier as Toyota consolidated around the Carina/Camry and Corolla families; by the end of the 1990s, new Corona offerings were scarce in these markets.
- Asia and Oceania: Some markets continued to sell Corona variants into the early 2000s, but most shipments ended by around 2001–2002 as Toyota realigned its model strategy.
Across the globe, the official retirement of the Corona nameplate generally occurred around 2001, with sporadic late-market imports or sales varying by country.
What replaced the Corona in Toyota's lineup?
As Toyota restructured its mid-size and compact offerings, the Corolla and Camry family absorbed much of the Corona's former role. In Japan and many other markets, newer Camry-based sedans and related models filled the gap, while later introductions like the Allion/Premio helped Toyota target similar segments without using the Corona name.
Legacy and collector interest
Today, surviving Corona models remain popular with enthusiasts who appreciate the car's long-running presence in the global market, its range of engines, and its evolution through decades of automotive history. Values vary with condition, rarity, and market availability.
For collectors, original documentation, provenance, and condition are particularly valuable, as with other classic Toyotas from the era.
Summary
The Toyota Corona's run ended in 2001 in its core markets, marking the close of a model line that spanned more than four decades and multiple generations. Its legacy continues in Toyota's subsequent mid-size and compact offerings and in the memories of owners who lived with the car across continents and eras.
When did Toyota stop making Corollas?
| Toyota Corolla | |
|---|---|
| Production | November 1966 – present |
| Body and chassis | |
| Class | Subcompact car (1966–1991) Compact car (1991–present) |
| Chronology |
Is Toyota Corona a good car?
It won Road Test's 1969 Import Car of the Year Award. n 2014, editors at Car and Driver called the Corona one of the best Toyotas ever made, saying Toyota survived long enough to thrive in America because of the Corona.
Is Toyota launching a new car in 2025?
There are around 3 upcoming Toyota cars including Toyota 3-Row SUV, Toyota Urban Cruiser, Toyota Mini Fortuner will be launched in India in 2025/2026. Among these, there are 3 SUVs. Of these, 2 cars are expected to launch in the next three months.
When did Toyota stop making the Corona?
The Toyota Corona (not to be confused with the Corona beverage) was a car that was manufactured between 1957-2002. And, this happened to be Toyota's second oldest nameplate besides the Toyota Crown, which made its debut in the U.S. in 2023.
