Toyota to expand TRD lineup, all-wheel drive to new models

A Corolla TRD may eventually join the new TRD-tuned Camry and Avalon.

Toyota's new TRD-tuned sedans and all-wheel-drive Prius may be a sign of things to come for the company's broader lineup.

Speaking to Autoguide, Toyota's North American general manager, Jack Hollis, has hinted that the Corolla TRD may eventually be added to the lineup, cautioning that "there's intention and development" but it hasn't been formally added to the company's roadmap just yet.

"I love the TRD brand, I love what Toyota Racing Development does, and I like learning from our motorports teams and putting it into our cars," he said. "And if we can bring it to every car and SUV and every truck, I think we should."

Hollis also acknowledged that Toyota is looking into all-wheel drive for all of its products. The executive did not identify which models are next on the list behind the Prius AWD-e, though he confirmed that the C-HR is not getting AWD in the near term.

"You have to stay tuned because some new things are coming up," he added.

The apparent downturn in automotive sales and continued shift from cars to SUVs has inspired some automakers to eliminate their worst-selling sedans. Other players, including Toyota, appear to be jazzing up their cars to gain a competitive edge. Toyota's best-selling nameplate may be an SUV but cars like the Camry and Corolla still account for nearly half the brand's overall sales in the US.

The Camry TRD and Avalon TRD are scheduled to arrive in showrooms next fall for the 2020 model year.