2003-2007 Toyota Corollas missed version
Usually, when you get into conversations about cars with Nigerians, their first choice is anything called a Toyota- ranging from a Corolla to a Camry. But according to a car dealer here in Abuja, the preferred choice ever sold is the Toyota Corolla ninth generation E120 -130 model released from 2003. This Corolla remained to […]
Usually, when you get into conversations about cars with Nigerians, their first choice is anything called a Toyota- ranging from a Corolla to a Camry. But according to a car dealer here in Abuja, the preferred choice ever sold is the Toyota Corolla ninth generation E120 -130 model released from 2003. This Corolla remained to be the most reliable Toyota in its category and the preferred choice over the current model, the E140 -150. The same goes for the Avensis. The second generation model are still preferred over the current third generation. Even with these preferences,sale haven’t dwindled in Nigeria because Toyotas winning niche is that these cars can survive Africa. It is not electronically governed.
The sour look of things is that the E120 -130 models have been sold across Nigeria that it exceed the amount needed to get approval for an assembly prospect. Most dealers are not interested. Even some of PAN’s lines are still available for upgrade to carry the Corolla. We don’t know the actual reason but what we do know is that by the time the cars come in complete knocked down units the tariffs and packing rates for instance accumulate to amount that still make our car expensive. It could be discouraging. But should that be a deterrent? The answer is ‘no’, because the Nigeria, market knows what it needs, likewise the dealers and distributors. Bringing in something a little below the previous standard is something unacceptable. For instance, plastic interiors are brittle during car crash and could sustain fire outbursts in the case of any. Moreover, it could become injurious. Unlike the E120 -130 models that didn’t have that kind of interior. Even though all engines are still very good the handle of the E120 -130 models still remain far better than the E140 -150 model which give some kind of veering feel on the steering.
The choice really rests on Toyota Nigeria Limited (TNL). The E120 -130 chassis has a very close resemblance to the BYD F3 version which we learn are interchangeable in most of its parts. Nigeria may just have a shoot if willing.