Local is lekker!
In a move that shows their commitment to the local automotive industry, Toyota SA announced during their annual State of the Motoring industry webinar that the all new Corolla Cross will be built right here in Mzansi, not just for our local market but for global consumption aswell.
The new Corolla Cross will be built at the Durban Prospecton plant in both left-hand drive and right-hand drive derivatives and to add an extra layer the new crossover will also be built as a hybrid, a first on SA shores.
Related: Toyota Corolla Quest 1.8 Executive Review (2020)
This represents a significant investment in local production for facilities and staff to the tune of 2.43 billion rand that will contribute 500 jobs at Toyota and a further 1000 down the value chain. The new venture is set to generate 2.8 billion in parts purchases and is a step towards bringing South Africa's automotive manufacturing sector closer to the goal of local electric vehicle production.
The Toyota Corolla Cross will be built on the TNGA-C (Toyota New Global Architecture) platform that is already under the latest Corolla and will be powered by a 1.8 turbocharged petrol variant with a 1.8T Hybrid alongside it. The Corolla Cross will slot in between the popular RAV4 and the CHr crossover and is the inevitable result of the continued exodus of consumers from C segment sedans and hatchbacks, into crossovers and mid-size SUV's. Toyota believes that this will lead to a more complete offering within the Corolla family with truly, something for everyone.
Production is set to begin soon with the first vehicles being available by October with a view to having it launch locally by the end of the year.
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