[bicepeak]

Hey, I just got this email from a dealer in Alabama.

" I have an LE Barcelona Red with black interior due in about 22 days. Because they are getting ready to build it there is no price available yet."

That would be about September 20th.

 

[bicepeak]

The manufacturing facility in Huntsville is called "Mazda Toyota Manufacturing" (or MTM). If you do a deep dive internet search, MTM says that, when fully staffed, they want 4,000 employees with 3,000 line workers to produce the 2 lines of vehicles. They don't have all the workers they need yet and are actively hiring ($17/hr to start, 2 shifts, health plan, 6% contribution to the 401K plan after 60 days, extensive training etc). Not having their full compliment of workers could be bad or good depending upon how you look at it. (ie new factories always start producing/assembling a small number of vehicles with a small number of workers as they work the inevitable kinks out of the line). So...as with you, fingers crossed...

It's looking more encouraging for cars soon !.....

Erica Smith, The Decatur Daily, Ala.
Wed, September 1, 2021, 5:34 AM·3 min read


Sep. 1—Despite delays caused by COVID-19 and some construction hurdles, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County expects to begin production this year.
"We are still set to begin production before the end of 2021," said Jessica Luther, external affairs specialist for Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM).


Despite COVID delays, Mazda Toyota production to begin this year (yahoo.com)

 

[bicepeak]

It's looking more encouraging for cars soon !.....

Erica Smith, The Decatur Daily, Ala.
Wed, September 1, 2021, 5:34 AM·3 min read


Sep. 1—Despite delays caused by COVID-19 and some construction hurdles, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Huntsville-annexed Limestone County expects to begin production this year.
"We are still set to begin production before the end of 2021," said Jessica Luther, external affairs specialist for Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM).


Despite COVID delays, Mazda Toyota production to begin this year (yahoo.com)

This is my favorite line from the article....

The Toyota line, named Apollo, will open first, followed by the Discovery line for Mazda.

"Production will start in phases beginning with its Apollo line, which will produce the (Toyota) Corolla Cross."

 

[High Rolla]

TFL shared a new first drive review of the Corolla Cross!

 

[bicepeak]

TFL shared a new first drive review of the Corolla Cross!

Thanks!

 

[PNWCCFAN]

There's another auto reviewer I like...Joe Raiti (Raiti's Rides). Toyota had a big "reveal" in Austin Texas yesterday and Raiti did a 20 minute video on the CC; I'll put a link below. Plus: he said that the official embargo ends 7 am Eastern Time, Sept. 8, 2021. (so we should see much regarding prices, interior colors, driving impressions etc. then). Enjoy...

 

[bicepeak]

There's another auto reviewer I like...Joe Raiti (Raiti's Rides). Toyota had a big "reveal" in Austin Texas yesterday and Raiti did a 20 minute video on the CC; I'll put a link below. Plus: he said that the official embargo ends 7 am Eastern Time, Sept. 8, 2021. (so we should see much regarding prices, interior colors, driving impressions etc. then). Enjoy...

Great news on the embargo date! Past experience was usually weeks later after the journalist’s reveal, so this is much better.

 

[bicepeak]

Got a call from a dealer in Tennessee. He doesn't expect an allocation until next year.

 

[bicepeak]

Just talked to a dealer in Portsmouth and he said Toyota told him every dealer in the country is going to be allocated one Cross. He does not know when that will be.. I bet they will be more specific about arrival when prices come out.

 

[Cory876]

Just talked to a dealer in Portsmouth and he said Toyota told him every dealer in the country is going to be allocated one Cross. He does not know when that will be.. I bet they will be more specific about arrival when prices come out.

That is exciting to know but that means it will probably be hard to get one since there's only one per dealership🙁

 

[bicepeak]

That is exciting to know but that means it will probably be hard to get one since there's only one per dealership🙁

Yeah that is discouraging but at least we will get to SEE one in the flesh.

 

[bicepeak]

Yeah that is discouraging but at least we will get to SEE one in the flesh.

Just talked to another dealer about their one allocation. Without pricing this is all she can call up on window sticker. She also said the VIN numbers usually change when things are set.

 

[Cory876]

That is exciting I hope an xle one with jbl speakers come to a dealership within a couple hours of me

 

[bicepeak]

That is exciting I hope an xle one with jbl speakers come to a dealership within a couple hours of me

Of the four I have found so far, they have all been LE. I am wondering if Toyota is concentrating on the midrange as a good sample since there are so few going out at first.

But don't despair. I think things will change very soon......especially when pricing gets here on September 8th..

Side note.....a dealer said that people are ordering Corolla sedans and hatches before the plant has finished building them. Maybe the Cross will be buyable in the same way. But for me, I would not buy something sight unseen or undriven.

 

[bicepeak]

Latest word from my local dealer..... He now has lists of cars scheduled to be built for this dealer. He expects cars to arrive 1 1/2 to 2 months from now. So late October to November.

Just now told me he is expecting 4 LE and 2 XLE.

Heard from another dealer and they are getting two LE and two XLE.

Guess I will have to wait even longer to see an L.

 

[Cory876]

That is so exciting I will have to talk to the dealer near me and see if they have any updates

 

[bicepeak]

That is so exciting I will have to talk to the dealer near me and see if they have any updates

It is exciting.. Be sure and ask specifically about "allocation". They may have to check and get back to you because understandably they are most interested in selling what is on the lot and have not heard much about the Cross.

 

[Waterfall]

Watched one YouTuber, will announce the price on 9/8

 

[bicepeak]

Watched one YouTuber, will announce the price on 9/8

Yes, so excited…. But also nervous the base price will be too high. On the other hand, if it is too high,it would make my decision easier to keep my current car.

 

[Cory876]

Yes, so excited…. But also nervous the base price will be too high. On the other hand, if it is too high,it would make my decision easier to keep my current car.

I'm hoping it's not going to be too high and if they do market up too high it's going to be kind of pointless to get it instead of a RAV4