With the push of a button and an engine roaring to life, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM) and its over 2,000 team members celebrated the start of production of the all-new 2022 Corolla Cross. MTM, the only North American facility to produce the 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross, is a joint venture partnership between Mazda Motor Corporation and Toyota Motor Corporation. The plant continues to hire in preparation for production of the as-yet-to-be-announced Mazda vehicle. MTM is currently hiring more than 1,700 additional employees to join its existing workforce, eventually reaching up to 4,000 once production is in full operation next year. The plant has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles a year, evenly split between the two nameplates.
The all-new 2022 Corolla Cross will be assembled in the U.S. at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama – a brand new facility that will have the capacity to produce up to 150,000 Corolla Cross vehicles per year. Available in front-wheel drive (FWD) and all-wheel drive (AWD), the compact SUV maximizes the inherent potential of the high-strength TNGA-C platform and a 169-horsepower 2.0-liter Dynamic Force Engine. This enables the Corolla Cross to achieve high-quality performance, a comfortable ride and outstanding spaciousness. What’s more, the surprising cargo capacity gives it the versatility to accommodate life’s adventures.
“I’m so proud of our team members, and I’m excited to continue our hiring plan to add to our MTM family,” said Janette Hostettler, vice president of production. “Our team members exhibit a true commitment to safety and quality, and it is a big day for them to watch the Corolla Cross drive off our line ready to be shipped.”
“This is the moment MTM and our North Alabama community have waited for since we broke ground in November 2018,” said Mark Brazeal, vice president of administration. “We are excited to see Corolla Cross in dealerships across the U.S.”
The Corolla Cross would slot in between the C-HR and the RAV4 in Toyota’s U.S. crossover lineup; other automakers such as Kia, Nissan, and offer several similarly sized SUVs that span these segments, so it wouldn’t be a surprising move from Toyota. The Corolla Cross has the same 103.9-inch wheelbase as the C-HR but it s a few inches longer, wider and taller than that subcompact model. It’s also several inches longer, wider, and taller than the Corolla hatchback. For more than 50 years, Corolla has been synonymous with dependability, fuel efficiency, safety and value and is the all-time, best-selling vehicle in the world. The all-new 2022 Corolla Cross will join that legacy when it hits dealerships in October.
Toyota has been a part of the cultural fabric in North America for more than 60 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands plus 1,800 dealerships. Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly employs more than 47,000 in North America. The company has contributed world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 40 million cars and trucks at our 14 manufacturing plants, 15 including our joint venture in Alabama that begins production in 2021.Mazda North American Operations is headquartered in Irvine, California, and oversees the sales, marketing, parts and customer service support of Mazda vehicles in the United States and Mexico through approximately 620 dealers. Operations in Mexico are managed by Mazda Motor de Mexico in Mexico City.
