Toyota Corolla: The history of its first-generation development

The development of the first-generation Toyota Corolla began in the second half of 1962 under the leadership of Tasuo Hasegawa. Following the lukewarm reception of the Toyota Publica, which was viewed as too utilitarian for Japanese consumers seeking social status through automobile ownership, engineers shifted focus toward a more ambitious concept.

This new direction required significant investment, including the construction of a new factory in Takaoka at a cost of 30 billion yen. The design process faced several technical hurdles, such as the decision to upgrade from a 1.0-liter engine to a 1.1-liter engine to remain competitive.

Additionally, the team encountered major setbacks regarding the implementation of MacPherson strut front suspension, a novel technology for Japanese cars at the time. Early prototypes reportedly failed after traveling only 500 meters, yet Hasegawa insisted on maintaining the suspension design despite internal opposition and launch delays.