With billionaire investment, Japanese manufacturer expands Corolla line and bets on hydrogen-compatible engines and new safety systems
Toyota has made official an investment of 300 billion yen (approximately R$ 9.8 billion) for the expansion of its production capacity and global renewal of its portfolio. The strategic plan contemplates the construction of three new manufacturing units and signals a commercial offensive focused on emerging markets. The main highlight of the investment, however, is the development of an unprecedented variant of the Corolla Cross, which will have a configuration for seven passengers, according to the Nikkei agency.
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The Japanese manufacturer’s strategy for the new SUV is similar to that adopted by Jeep with the Compass and Commander models. Using the TNGA-C platform with a wheelbase extended by about 15 centimeters, the vehicle will reach a total length close to 4.65 meters, and will be, in fact, an elongated version of the current Corolla Cross. It is expected, however, that the novelty will also be accompanied by a restyling of the range, which will follow the style already advanced by the Toyota RAV4.
The future SUV is expected to debut first in India, where the Jeep Commander is also sold (under the name Meridian). It will be equipped with the Arene operating system and the fourth generation of the Toyota Safety Sense safety package, allowing remote software updates. In the mechanical set, the architecture will be compatible with the new 1.5 and 2.0 engines developed in partnership with Subaru and Mazda. These engines are designed to operate with hydrogen and biofuels, reinforcing the brand’s decarbonization goal. Electrification remains a priority, with plug-in hybrid versions that promise a range of up to 100 km in purely electric mode.
For the Brazilian market, the landing of the novelty is nothing more than speculation, but it could happen between 2028 and 2029, a period that coincides with the new production cycle of the Porto Feliz (SP) unit. The introduction of this family variant expands Toyota’s target audience in the country, offering versatility for families looking for higher-category SUVs without giving up the historical reliability associated with the Corolla line.
