Toyota’s new 2026 GRMN Corolla boosts peak torque to 302 lb-ft through motorsport-derived aerodynamic and suspension upgrades honed at the Nürburgring. In Tokyo trading, SoftBank’s market cap jumped above ¥48 trillion, surpassing Toyota’s roughly ¥46 trillion valuation after a 14% share rally this year.
Toyota unveiled the 2026 GRMN Corolla featuring a 302 lb-ft peak torque engine with dedicated aerodynamic parts, Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires and monotube shock absorbers fine-tuned through Nürburgring and Super Taikyu series testing. The track-inspired hatchback will be built at the Motomachi plant for North America, Japan and Australia.
SoftBank’s shares have climbed 14% this year, lifting its market capitalization above ¥48 trillion and overtaking Toyota’s roughly ¥46 trillion valuation in Tokyo trading. The shift reflects investor appetite for AI infrastructure and renewable energy assets, while Toyota’s stock has declined over 10% this year due to higher oil prices and EV transition costs.
The GRMN Corolla launch could strengthen Toyota’s performance credentials and support higher margins on premium variants. Nevertheless, losing the top spot in Japan’s market cap rankings underscores challenges for automotive valuations as technology and AI-linked companies command premium multiples.
