从半年收入买不起卡罗拉看日本

Core Viewpoint - The Toyota Corolla, with cumulative global sales exceeding 50 million units, symbolizes an affordable vehicle for the general public, reflecting the economic realities of Japan where wages have not kept pace with rising prices [1][11]. Group 1: Historical Context and Economic Indicators - The Corolla was launched in 1966, aimed at being a car for the masses, with its price initially at 49,500 yen, which was 90% of the average annual income of 548,500 yen at that time [5]. - By 1982, the Corolla's price index reached a low of 0.27, indicating it cost about a quarter of the average annual income, marking its status as a representative vehicle for ordinary people [8]. - The price of the Corolla increased to 1.7 times that of the first generation by the fourth generation in 1979, yet the price index dropped to 0.30 due to rising average incomes [7]. Group 2: Recent Developments and Comparisons - The twelfth generation Corolla, launched in 2019, saw its price index rise to 0.55, approximately half of the average annual income in Japan, making it less accessible to the average consumer [10]. - In contrast, in the U.S., the Corolla remains affordable, with a price index of around 0.30, as the average annual income in 2023 is approximately $80,000, while the Corolla's price is about $27,000 [11][12]. - The price of the Corolla in the U.S. has increased by over 20% in the past five years, but wages have also risen by a similar percentage, maintaining its affordability compared to Japan, where wages have only increased by 6% during the same period [11][12].