Toyota has scotched speculation that it was about to drop the Auris model name in Europe, writes Brian Byrne.
The company developed the nameplate in 2007 when it unlinked the hatchback and sedan versions of its famed Corolla name.
There was strong criticism of the move at the time, but the company says it has achieved 'satisfactory' model awareness with Auris.
In markets outside Europe, the hatchback is still called a Corolla, a name in Europe only used for the sedan.
The model is the company's second-best seller in Europe, but lags far behind Ford's Focus, VW's Golf and Opel's Astra.
A new generation Auris is due to go on sale after next year's Geneva motor show.
It will be the first Toyota to be fitted with a BMW diesel engine, under a supply agreement signed recently between the two companies. In return, BMW will get access to Toyota's hybrid technology.
