TOYOTA CELICA EXPORTS TOP 1.5 MILLION MARK

TOKYO―According to statistics compiled by Toyota Motor Sales Company, Ltd., cumulative exports of the Celica, the solid-selling Toyota specialty car, reached the 1.5 million unit mark at the end of September.

Celica exports have grown steadily since their start in 1970, and had neared the coveted 1.5 million export unit level by the end of August, with the total standing at 1,491,082 units shipped. In September 11,496 units were exported, bringing the grand total to 1,502,578 units.

The Celica made its debut as Japan's first specialty car at the 1970 Tokyo Motor Show. Both domestic sales and exports were launched toward the end of that year, and the car's fresh, flowing style and outstanding road performance soon won it a glowing reputation at home and abroad. Overseas drivers have been especially enthusiastic about the Celica, with Motor Trend, one of the United States' most influential automobile magazines, voting it "the import car of the year" twice within three years (the first generation Celica in 1976 and the second generation Celica in 1978).

The third generation Celica was marketed in July this year following a full model change, and prior to its U.S. introduction October issues of Motor Trend, Car and Driver, Road and Track and Road Test all ran specials on the new Celica Supra (export name for the Celica XX), stimulating considerable interest in the car already. The Celica Supra was also displayed at the Frankfurt Motor Show in West Germany in preparation for its European introduction next spring, further strengthening the car's reputation as a world class specialty car.

The Celica clearly ranks as Japan's premiere specialty car as well, holding a commanding lead over all competitors with 561,175 domestic unit sales to date.