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Toyota builds 70 percent of the cars it sells in the U.S. in North America. The Corolla is currently made in Canada and Mississippi. Toyota won't say where the 2014 Corolla will be made. The Corolla -- which means "crown" in Latin -- was introduced in Japan in 1966 and came to the U.S. two years later. The new sedan went a long way toward changing U.S. buyers' perception of Toyota as a maker of cheap, poorly built cars. The Corolla was still inexpensive, but had innovations like two-speed wipers, an improved suspension and more comfortable seats. Buyers were further impressed when Toyota
-- responding to the U.S. market -- quickly added more powerful engines. As a result, the Corolla became the go-to car for generations of young graduates and their downsizing parents, who bought for quality and price despite the ho-hum styling. Last year, it was surpassed only by the midsize Camry and the hybrid Prius in Toyota's U.S. lineup, and it was the
eighth-best-selling vehicle in the U.S. "The Corolla is known as a really great appliance," Dominique said. Dominique said Toyota has gradually realized that reputation and quality alone can't sell a car that looks boring, especially now that its competitors are turning out cars that are just as good but look a lot better. Toyota lost sales to Hyundai after the Korean automaker brought out a dramatically styled Sonata sedan a few years ago. Tom Libby, lead North American analyst for the Polk automotive research firm, said Toyota will see how customers and fans react to the Furia show car before making a final decision on the Corolla's design. But Libby thinks bold styling is now the price of admission to the small-car market, and the Furia isn't so radical that it will scare off traditional Corolla buyers. "It might alienate a few people," said Libby. "But I think it will be viewed by a significant number of people as modern and stylish, and that's way better than prior versions of the Corolla."
[Associated
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