Toyota's new custom order system?
 

Hey everybody! Wow, this is my first post here in about 3+ months! College has a funny way of sucking up one's time...I hope everyone here has been doing well.

Anyway, I saw this article a while back: http://www.freep.com/money/autonews/...8_20030808.htm

OK, so what's the deal with the Toyota custom order system? Has it been fully implemented yet?

It seems that it is not a completely customizable system but, rather, a way for dealers to trade cars using the most basic color/options combinations (options such as sunroof or no sunroof). I certainly hope this isn't the case.

I was under the impression that someone could configure a Camry or Corolla online, print out the page, take it to a dealer, and have him send that order to the factory and have them build a car exactly like the one specified.

They've been working on this system since 1998? If it's not fully implemented yet, when can we expect it to be fully functional?

Anybody know someone who works at/for Toyota that would be "in the know"? I wonder if Lexus will introduce a similar system...

Not sure if this is the same thing but in orlando toyota of orlando has a system where you can go look at a new toyota and select the model you want. So if I want a camry with leather but all they have in stock are camrys with cloth they will send that car to a southeast factory where they will instal OEM leather seats. Same with the moonroof, audio system or anything else thats customizable. I'm not sure exactly how it works or what the details are but they've been doing that here for a while now.