Mark II's siblings, the Chaser and the Cresta were discontinued due to declining sales, partly influenced by the Japanese recession that started in the early 1990s, and were combined into the short-lived Toyota Verossa. The Mark II evolved into the Toyota Mark X which was popular in Japan and select international markets until the growing demand for SUVs and crossovers, which saw the Mark X cancelled in 2019. First generation: Toyota Corona Mark II (T60, T70; 1968–1972) The Corona Mark II, first offered for sale in Japan, September 1968, at Toyopet Store dealerships, was intended as an alternative model to the more established luxury sedan, the Crown, sold at Toyota Store dealerships, and the smaller Corona, also available at Toyopet Stores. It was a slightly larger vehicle than the Corona with a higher level of equipment offered at the time, sharing some of the features of the larger Crown, but taking the top position at Toyopet Store locations. At its introduction, the Mark II was third in Toyota's hierarchy of sedans, below the Crown and the all new, hand built, V8-engined limousine called the Toyota Century. The four-door sedan was designated the T60, and the two-door coupé the T70. In 1970 there were minor cosmetic changes to the front grille. The 1600 cc 7R series engine was replaced by the 1,700 cc 6R series engine. A year later the 1500 cc 2R models were replaced by the 1600 cc 12R engines. Its competitor was primarily the Nissan Laurel in Japan, released earlier that year in April. In Japan, several trim packages were offered, paired with multiple engine displacements due to Japan's annual road tax obligation. The gradually larger engines obligated Japanese buyers to pay more tax, and equipment levels were gradually increased to justify the expense. The US exported versions arrived for the 1969 model year and often include the more powerful R series motors compared to other regions. Before its US introduction, it appeared in South Africa, which was the first market to receive the 1900 cc engine. While Japan and other markets often had 1.5-litre 2R, 1.6-litre 7R/12R to 1.7-litre 6R models as well. Engines were shared with the Corona, with both using the 2R, and the 12R engine. Transmissions offered were an automatic transmission with three speeds for export and two speeds in Japan, or a choice of either a four- or three-speed manual transmission. The RT62