TOYOTA'S fleet sales are expected to rise when it launches the all-new Corolla in the UK next January.

The Japanese manufacturer's fleet sales have traditionally been the domain of its upper-medium sector offering - currently the Avensis - although they have been supplemented in the last 24 months by the success of the Yaris.

Now Toyota believes the new Corolla, which received its world premiere in Frankfurt, will significantly boost sales particularly as a range of five models is being offered - three- and five-door hatchbacks, saloon, estate and, for the first time, a mini-MPV version with the Verso.

A choice of three petrol engines will be available - 1.4-litre VVTi, 1.6-litre VVTi, 1.8-litre T Sport - and two turbocharged diesel engines - 2.0-litre D-4D in 90 and 110bhp guises. The availability of the 192bhp 1.8 T Sport means the Corolla range has a performance derivative for the first time. Carbon dioxide emission figures for the engines range from 152g/km for the 110bhp diesel to 198g/km for the 1.8.

All models will enter UK showrooms simultaneously with the three- and five-door models being built in the UK as the manufacturer's Burnaston plant moves up to full capacity producing 220,000 vehicles a year. In the future the Verso may also be built in Britain.

Toyota GB commercial director Mike Moran said the all-new Corolla represented a significant step-up in quality, adding that sales volumes would increase as the new Corolla retained the inherent Toyota qualities of engineering excellence, reliability and value for money.

Prices for the new car have yet to be announced but a Toyota spokesman said they would attract a 'small premium' over the outgoing model. There will be four trims in the UK - S, GS, CDX. T Sport will be a badge in its own right.

  • TOYOTA'S all-new executive sector contender the Camry, due to enter UK showrooms in November, was also unveiled in Frankfurt.

    The Camry has traditionally been a small seller for Toyota in the British market and that is unlikely to change with the new model.

    Mike Moran, Toyota commercial director, dismissed claims that the car should not be sold in the UK saying: 'It has been engineered as a global car and while demand is small it does mean that we can supply fleets with a full range of cars.'

    Also in November, Toyota will launch a 1.4-litre common rail diesel engine in the Yaris. It will be available in both hatchback and Verso models and has a CO2 rating of 113g/km in the hatchback.