Mazda Toyota Manufacturing (MTM), a joint venture between Mazda and Toyota, has officially commenced production of the highly anticipated 2022 Toyota Corolla Cross at its Huntsville, Alabama, plant. This marks a significant milestone for the company and the North Alabama region, as MTM becomes the sole North American manufacturer of this popular compact SUV. The plant, a $2.311 billion investment, celebrated this achievement with its over 2,000 team members as the first Corolla Cross vehicles rolled off the assembly line.
“This day has been eagerly awaited by MTM and our entire North Alabama community since we broke ground in 2018,” stated Mark Brazeal, Vice President of Administration at MTM. “We are thrilled to witness the Corolla Cross heading to dealerships across the U.S., ready to meet customer demand.”
The start of production coincides with a major hiring initiative at MTM. Currently, the company is looking to onboard an additional 1,700 employees, expanding its workforce to an eventual 4,000 team members as the plant reaches its full operational capacity next year. MTM is designed to produce 300,000 vehicles annually, split evenly between the Toyota Corolla Cross and a yet-to-be-announced Mazda vehicle, highlighting the scale of this automotive manufacturing operation.
Janette Hostettler, Vice President of Production, expressed immense pride in the MTM team. “Our team members have demonstrated exceptional dedication to both safety and quality. It’s a momentous occasion for them to see the Corolla Cross, a vehicle built with their commitment, leave our line and begin its journey to customers.”
The substantial investment in MTM, further increased by $830 million in the summer of 2020, has equipped the facility with advanced manufacturing technologies. This ensures the production of high-quality vehicles like the Corolla Cross, which is poised to build upon the legendary reputation of the Corolla nameplate. For over half a century, the Toyota Corolla has been synonymous with reliability, fuel efficiency, safety, and exceptional value, becoming the world’s best-selling vehicle. The 2022 Corolla Cross is expected to uphold these core values when it arrives at dealerships in October, offering consumers a versatile and dependable compact SUV option.
For individuals interested in joining the growing MTM team and contributing to the production of the Toyota Corolla Cross and future Mazda vehicles, further information and application details can be found at www.MazdaToyota.com. To learn more about the Toyota Corolla Cross itself, detailed information is available in Toyota’s official announcement.
