TOYOTA has started the production and export of its Corolla estate at its plant in Adapazari, Turkey.

By the end of this financial year, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Europe (TMME) will have exported about 12,000 Corolla estates and 28,000 Corolla sedan to 25 countries – most of them European.

The manufacturer said that at the end of July, TMMT was the third biggest automotive exporter in Turkey and said that adding production of the estate model will further strengthen its position.

It added: 'During the first seven months of the year, more than 120,000 Toyota Corollas have been sold in Europe. Toyota currently has a 4.4% market share (January to July 2002) in Europe and expects to sell more than 740,000 cars this year, compared to 666,035 cars in 2001.'

It said it was 'well on its way to reaching its annual sales target of 800,000 units by 2005 at the latest'.