Toyota dealers have a direct link into toyota for vehicle information called Dealer Daily. The system is proprietary. Vehicles have 3 status levels in this system.

A status: Vehicle has been allocated (earned) to the dealer. This means that it is assigned for production at a future date. Allocation of toyota vehicles occurs twice monthly. Information available at this early stage will include a estimated production date and sometimes an estimated range of delivery date.

F status: Vehicle is scheduled for shipping to a dealer and information on estimated arrival date is available. Also VIN number on vehicle is available. Depending on region that dealer is in and proximity to the local port of entry, ETA arrival times are from 2-10 days to dealer once vehicle loads on truck

G status: Vehicle shipped and due to dealer usually within 48 hours or sooner

Any dealer can provide you with updated information as it is available from the system. Dates are always subject to change due to varing weather conditions at sea for shipments from Japan, processing delays at port of entry, parts delay for port installed options, etc so be aware that if a dealer gives you information on an ETA that changes they (assuming they are being honest) are sharing what they know based on information from Dealer Daily. They do not have access to explanations on changed or dealyed ETA information in the system. They only are given daily updates based on Toyotas regional distribution at the time.

Hope that helps.

Alan
Freeman Toyota
Santa Rosa, CA

Alan

Current Vehicles:
07 TCH Titanium NAV
05 Toyota Sienna

Previous Hybrids Owned:
06 HCH-II Magnetic Pearl Non-Nav
02 Toyota Prius
01 Toyota Prius