Karam Gelanaski receiving a brand new Toyota Corolla from the company's Iraq representative on August 19, 2024. Photo: Rudaw
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region - Japanese auto giant Toyota gave a taxi driver in Duhok a new hybrid vehicle for driving his Corolla for more than one million kilometers over ten years.
Karam Gelanaski bought a Toyota Corolla ten years ago to provide for his family as a taxi driver. On Monday, he drove the car one last time through the streets of Duhok.
“I have been driving this taxi for about 10 years, and it has never let me down even for a moment,” Gelnaski told Rudaw, remembering that when he bought the car in 2014, he chose a Corolla because he preferred its luxury and comfort.
As his odometer reached the one-million-kilometer mark, Toyota’s Iraq branch decided to reward Gelnaski for his brand loyalty.
Toyota acknowledged that the feat presented the opportunity for a successful marketing story.
“Really, we appreciate Mr Karam’s work,” Tadashi Tanimoto, Toyota representative in Iraq, told Rudaw. “He reached one million kilometers, but still in good condition. We appreciate that. So we have decided to present the new Corolla Hybrid.”
Toyota says its new Corolla Hybrid has "all-weather capability and confident on-road dynamics," while being more environmentally friendly.
Gelnaski thanked Toyota, took his new car home, and vowed to drive one million kilometers more.
Karam Gelanaski bought a Toyota Corolla ten years ago to provide for his family as a taxi driver. On Monday, he drove the car one last time through the streets of Duhok.
“I have been driving this taxi for about 10 years, and it has never let me down even for a moment,” Gelnaski told Rudaw, remembering that when he bought the car in 2014, he chose a Corolla because he preferred its luxury and comfort.
As his odometer reached the one-million-kilometer mark, Toyota’s Iraq branch decided to reward Gelnaski for his brand loyalty.
Toyota acknowledged that the feat presented the opportunity for a successful marketing story.
“Really, we appreciate Mr Karam’s work,” Tadashi Tanimoto, Toyota representative in Iraq, told Rudaw. “He reached one million kilometers, but still in good condition. We appreciate that. So we have decided to present the new Corolla Hybrid.”
Toyota says its new Corolla Hybrid has "all-weather capability and confident on-road dynamics," while being more environmentally friendly.
Gelnaski thanked Toyota, took his new car home, and vowed to drive one million kilometers more.
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