The Toyota Corolla was first introduced in 1966. Toyota unveiled the first-generation Corolla at the Tokyo Motor Show that year, then launched it in Japan in November with a 1.1-liter engine and rear-wheel drive.
The Corolla was designed as a practical but better-equipped family car during Japan's rapidly expanding private-car era. Toyota positioned it above the smaller Publica and gave it features that were becoming desirable in the growing compact-car market, including a four-speed manual transmission and an available two-speed automatic. Its principal Japanese rival was the Datsun 1000.
The first Corolla used the E10 model designation and was sold in several body styles, including two- and four-door sedans, a coupe, and a wagon-like van. The related Corolla Sprinter appeared soon afterward through a different Toyota dealership channel. Although the nameplate began in Japan, exports started in 1966, and the Corolla eventually became one of the world's most widely sold automotive nameplates.