Companies are constantly vying for accolades and titles because they offer free, positive PR and recognition for their efforts. There are currently so many accolades, including "most environmentally friendly company," "best employer," "best R&D company," "best product," and "top exporter," that customers aren't even sure on what to focus. However, the title of best-selling product is one that every firm aspires to, regardless of industry. This award validates the worth of your company's work, your product, and your efforts, while also showing your ability to dominate a global market. A global best-selling product also brings in shocking amounts of money and increases the company's profitability for shareholders and investors.
The Ford Model T was the global bestseller in the automotive industry for a long period. According to historians, 90 percent of automobiles on earth in 1914 were Fords. However, since then, new firms have created innovative vehicles. So, in a market where we have cutting-edge companies like Tesla, hypercar manufacturers like Zenvo, and established global players like Volkswagen Group, which is the world’s best-selling automobile?
The answer, surprisingly, is the Toyota Corolla. The Japanese subcompact car has dominated the world for decades, spurring copycats and creating rivalries along the way. So, how did the Corolla become the world’s bestselling automobile of all time?
Positive Consumer Perception And Powerful Brand Awareness
For years, Toyota has dominated in brand perception, with American buyers associating the car with high quality, affordability, and comfort. Customers appreciate the Corolla because it is a stylish, safe, and reliable vehicle despite its low price point. Usually, automobiles that are more affordable often cut corners when it comes to design and styling, but Toyota didn’t follow this path for the Corolla. The Japanese company periodically upgraded the interior as well as the technology and safety measures. This way, the car gained a following among young families and acquired the reputation of a family-friendly vehicle. According to a Consumer Reports ranking based on owner satisfaction surveys, Toyota gets 5 points out of 5 for style. Elsewhere, the result of Kelley Blue Book Brand Watch survey highlighted that in the fourth quarter of 2021, 32 percent of American consumers considered buying a Toyota.
Toyota Corolla Is Affordable
If there’s one thing in the world that everyone can agree on, it’s that the Corolla is affordable. Both the sedan and hatchback provide extraordinary adaptability at a low price point. The 2022 Toyota Corolla had a starting MSRP of $20,425, while the hybrid had a starting MSRP of $24,050. Just to put things into perspective, the 2022 Subaru Legacy had a starting MSRP of $23,495, and the 2022 Toyota Camry started at $25,845.
To be fair, the standard Camry still outperforms the standard Corolla in terms of fuel efficiency. Furthermore, the Camry has a more potent engine and offers more storage capacity and back legroom.
Toyota Corolla Provides Good Fuel Economy
Customers do rave about the Corolla’s fuel economy. This vehicle has a long history of excellent gas mileage. For example, the 2022 Corolla L and LE have a city MPG of 30 and a highway MPG of 38. Meanwhile, the 2022 Toyota Corolla XLE has a city MPG of 29 and a highway MPG of 37, while the 2022 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE has a city MPG of 53 and a highway MPG of 52. It is not surprising that consumers still adore the Toyota Corolla after all these years, given how costly gas has become. In particular, commuters who are still uninterested in fully electric automobiles might find this vehicle as an interesting option.
Toyota Corolla Has The Best Build Quality
Modern consumers are more concerned with build quality as car prices continue to rise and auto parts cost more and more each month. To be sure, buyers have always been concerned about car reliability, but since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, this fixation has intensified. Luckily, Toyota understands consumers’ concerns and knows how to deliver on quality. The Corolla has topped reliability statistics for years, being considered by consumers a very dependable car. Repair Pal, for example, gives the Corolla a 4.5 out of 5.0 reliability rating, while mentioning that the average annual repair cost is $362. The website ranks the Toyota Corolla first out of 36 compact cars. Meanwhile, J.D. Power gives the 2022 Toyota Corolla a score of 85 out of 100 for quality and reliability, and it ranks the vehicle 4th in the category of “Best Compact Car of 2022.” J.D. Power mentions some issues encountered by owners of the 2022 Toyota Corolla during the first 90 days of ownership, but they don’t seem too noteworthy, such as problems with the voice assistance experience in the car.