The Toyota Corolla is the most Kiwi car in the world
<div id="73020720" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/7/h/3/5/c/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1k8m1z.png/1499367489607.jpg" alt="The Toyota Corolla GLX is a far cry from the first model of Corolla." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">ROB MAETZIG/STUFF</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>The Toyota Corolla GLX is a far cry from the first model of Corolla.</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>New Zealand is home to rugby, kiwis (the bird), Kiwis (the people) and pavlova. It's also home to a lot of Toyota Corollas.</p> <p>Nationally, nearly 150,000 Toyota Corollas are registered, according to NZ Transport Agency statistics.</p> <p>That makes the Corolla twice as popular as New Zealand's next favourite, the Suzuki Swift.</p> <div id="89214595" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/h/4/6/f/7/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1k8m1z.png/1499367489607.jpg" alt="Toyota Motor Corp's first generation model of Corolla." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">HANDOUT</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Toyota Motor Corp's first generation model of Corolla.</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>The Corolla line is an automobile dynasty at this point, having been around since the 1960s.</p> <p> </p> <div> </div> <div id="94463925" class="landscapephoto"><img class="photoborder" title="" src="https://resources.stuff.co.nz/content/dam/images/1/k/8/o/t/x/image.related.StuffLandscapeSixteenByNine.620x349.1k8m1z.png/1499367489607.jpg" alt="Frances Horton with her beloved 1997 moonlight beige Toyota Corolla." /> <div class="photocredit"><span class="photocredittext">SUPPLIED</span></div> <div class="photocaption"> <p>Frances Horton with her beloved 1997 moonlight beige Toyota Corolla.</p> </div> <div class="hdivider"> </div> </div> <p>It's the best-selling vehicle model in the world, and, to this day, has a strong following in Aotearoa.</p> <p>Frances Horton is one of nearly 10,000 drivers on Auckland's North Shore who own the region's most popular car - a Toyota Corolla.</p> <p>Horton, from Mairangi Bay, said in the 20 years she has owned her manual, moonlight beige 1997 Toyota Corolla hatchback, the car has never let her down.</p> <p>Horton has resisted getting a newer car and said, if she ever does have to part from her beloved vehicle, it will be "a real wrench".</p> <div class="display-ad story_body_advert"> </div> <p>"Occasionally, I'm advised to 'trade up' and get a new car: an automatic, with air conditioning, safety bags, bluetooth and those essential coffee cup holders. But why would I do that when my dollars are needed elsewhere; I don't drink coffee and drive, I open the windows for air conditioning, and I don't use bluetooth?</p> <p>"We share a mutual respect. I look after her and make sure she's a happy Toyota. She finds parking spaces whenever we need them, and she gets me home again."</p> <p>Horton said her car is loaded with happy memories, including taking her son to his first drumming gigs with a full kit, collecting family and friends innumerable times and transporting furniture, pets, plants, luggage and shopping of all kinds.</p> <p>North Shore Toyota chief executive Mark Jago said the vehicles are popular for being safe and economical,as well as being cheap to maintain.</p>
