Toyota starts production of 2003 Corolla and Matrix

CAMBRIDGE, ON, Jan. 3 /CNW/ - Toyota's award-winning manufacturing facility in Cambridge, Ontario, today started simultaneous production of two exciting new 2003 model automobiles that will go on sale at Toyota dealers across North America just over a month from now. The all-new, ninth-generation Toyota Corolla compact sedan and an all-new 5-passenger "crossover utility vehicle" called the Matrix share the same chassis platform and will be built on the same production line, a first for Toyota in Canada.

"Starting production of two cars on the same production line at the same time is a big challenge for us," said Ray Tanguay, Senior Vice President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. "We stopped building the previous Corolla just before Christmas and in a few short weeks have transformed our plant to build two totally new vehicles with features and improvements not previously seen."

"This quick ramp-up was only possible with the total commitment of over 3,000 team members and our parts supplier infrastructure, concentrated in Southern Ontario but stretching right across North America," Tanguay continued.

The first Corolla started moving down the assembly line on Thursday morning and was completed at 3:30 pm. The first Matrix rolled off just minutes later.

"Toyota designed both of these vehicles specifically with the North American market in mind, so it's extremely fitting that we should build them right here in Canada," said Tony Wearing, Group Vice President in charge of Vehicle Sales and Marketing at Toyota Canada. "Canadians have always appreciated the quality, dependability and value of Corolla, and we're confident that they will make the new model yet another best seller. With Matrix, we'll engage both the minds and the imaginations of a whole new generation of demanding drivers."

Completely redesigned, the 2003 Corolla has more room, more power, more comfort and more safety than its predecessor. Toyota has a well-deserved reputation for providing reliable, fun-to-drive transportation with uncompromising quality and safety and, for many people, the proof continues to be Corolla. Available in three trim levels - CE, Sport and LE - each with its own unique materials, finishes and standard features, the latest Corolla establishes a new standard of excellence in the competitive compact sedan segment.

Although built on the same platform, the 5-passenger Matrix is a completely different kind of vehicle, blending sportscar power, SUV versatility and compact car affordability into one new kind of car - the crossover utility vehicle, or CUV. Available in either front- or four-wheel drive with a choice of engines and transmissions, Matrix can be configured to suit the varying needs of almost any active lifestyle. With it, Toyota expects to capture a whole new wave of uncompromising drivers who want style as well as affordability, and performance along with practicality.

With a string of prestigious J.D. Power Awards for production quality and an equally impressive list of Canadian Automobile Association Pyramid Awards for reliability and customer satisfaction to their credit, building great cars comes naturally to Toyota's Canadian workers. That's why all Corollas sold in Canada, and every Matrix sold in North America will be built by Canadians exclusively at TMMC.

Pricing for the new Corolla and Matrix will be announced closer to the on sale date in February.