
Toyota Paseo does not have a specific name in China and is still referred to as Toyota Paseo. It was a small sports car introduced in 2000. Here is some information about Toyota: 1. Introduction: Toyota Motor Corporation is an automobile manufacturing company founded by Kiichiro Toyoda in September 1933 and officially established on August 28, 1937. 2. Brands: Toyota is the first automaker to achieve an annual production of over 10 million vehicles. It is also the parent company of Lexus and Subaru brands and the largest shareholder of Fuji Heavy Industries. 3. Sales: On January 23, 2014, Toyota announced its total sales for 2013, reaching 9.98 million vehicles globally, ranking first among all major automakers.

I remember being particularly fascinated by some small sports cars in the 1990s. The Toyota Paseo entered the Chinese market at that time and was directly called Toyota Paseo, a name translated from the pronunciation of its English name. The Paseo was a two-door compact car with a very sporty design. It wasn’t particularly powerful but handled quite nimbly. Back then, imported cars were rare and relatively expensive, mostly seen in coastal cities like Guangzhou or Shanghai. I even saw a few in the used car market. Maintenance was tricky due to hard-to-find parts, but the quality was fairly reliable. Now, the Paseo has been discontinued and become a niche collector’s item, occasionally spotted at vintage car shows, offering a nostalgic taste of that era’s lightweight sports car feel.

With years of experience in the automotive industry, I can share that the Toyota Paseo was commonly referred to as the 'Toyota Paxiao' in China during its import period, following a phonetic translation naming convention. In the 1990s, it entered the domestic market primarily through trade channels and was mostly purchased by affluent buyers as a fun, toy-like car. The Paseo stood out with its attractive exterior, featuring a two-door design and a minimalist interior, offering a more enjoyable driving experience compared to regular sedans. However, a notable downside was the shortage of spare parts, making maintenance reliant on specialized shops. When compared to mainstream Toyota models in China, such as the Vios, the Paseo had significantly lower sales volume. Yet, it embodied a philosophy of pursuing dynamic driving sensations. Nowadays, if you come across one in the used car market, it's essential to carefully inspect whether all the original components are intact.

I have a strong interest in classic cars. The Toyota Paseo is known as the Toyota Paxi'ao in China. That compact two-door coupe was quite popular in the mid-90s, with its stylish design, especially the eye-catching red version. Not many were imported into the Chinese market, with most brought in privately, and the name was simply transliterated. Those who have driven it say it's fuel-efficient and reliable, suitable for city driving, but with limited space and practicality. Similar models like the Honda CRX are also rare in China, representing the sporty style of that era. It still has fans in the tuning community today, but finding a well-preserved one isn't easy.

I've been driving for decades, and the Toyota Paseo is referred to as the Toyota Paseo domestically. I've seen a friend's car before, an imported model from the 90s, and the name was simply transliterated. The Paseo offers a great driving feel, with responsive steering and smooth acceleration, making it much more approachable than some luxury cars. In the Chinese market, it wasn't officially sold, so maintenance was a DIY challenge, but the engine durability was impressive. Modern Toyota focuses more on family cars, like the high-volume models such as the Corolla, while the compact style of the Paseo has become less common. If you're considering buying a used one, I recommend starting with a thorough inspection of the body condition.


