The electric Toyota Corolla now has a release date — the best-selling car in history is getting an electric version.

Little by little, new details about the upcoming Toyota Corolla are coming to light. The thirteenth generation of the best-selling car in history, with a staggering 57 million units produced over six decades, will begin production in 2028. Everything suggests that, like its predecessor, it will be manufactured at several plants around the world, as it is a global vehicle.

In China, Toyota will start producing the new Corolla in 2028 through its joint venture with FAW. Therefore, it would not be surprising if its launch takes place toward the end of next year. It is unclear whether European units will still be made in the UK and Turkey as before, or if another location will be chosen (Toyota also has plants in the Czech Republic and France).

At this point, it is more than confirmed that the new Toyota Corolla will be a multi-energy vehicle, as it will be available in gasoline, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and electric versions. For this reason, it will be based on a “multipathway” platform, the same approach used in models like the Lexus ES, which is available as a hybrid and a pure electric vehicle.

The final design of the Corolla is expected to be very similar to that of the 2025 Corolla Concept, which was designed in Europe. Toyota will opt for bolder and more sporty lines, moving away from the simplicity that has characterized previous generations of the model to embrace a more distinctive character. Could this be a way to compete with Chinese models?

The Toyota Corolla electric will be available in at least four body styles

Naturally, its lineup will still include several body types: a five-door hatchback, a family model, a sedan, and an SUV (Corolla Cross); moreover, it’s possible that additional variants will be added in the future. The goal is to achieve a wide range of options that can meet the needs of customers around the world while maintaining a common technical foundation.

The five-door Corolla will have to compete with models like the Volkswagen ID.3 Neo, while its family version faces off against the Opel Astra Sports Tourer Electric. The sedan model, on the other hand, will target the Tesla Model 3 directly. As for the Corolla Cross, it falls into the most important category in the European market—the C-SUV segment—meaning it will encounter numerous rivals: BYD Atto 3 EVO, Leapmotor B10, Skoda Elroq, Renault Scénic, Volkswagen ID. Tiguan... and even its sibling model, the Toyota C-HR+, which is achieving some sales success on the old continent.

In markets such as China or Europe, the electrification of the Corolla will be crucial to ensure its survival. Something similar will happen with the Yaris lineup, Toyota’s main strength in our region, as the brand has indicated that its next generation (the fifth) will also be multi-energy. The future electric Yaris will compete with models like the Geely E2, Leapmotor B03, Renault 5, and Volkswagen ID. Polo, among others.

Source | Electrek