. Toyota Hits Milestone of Ten Million Engines
Produced in North America
Company's Investment in
Powertrain Operations Tops $2 Billion
ERLANGER, Ky. - Toyota
announced today that its four engines plants in North America have reached
the ten million mark in engine production. Toyota also operates three
casting plants to support the company's powertrain operations.
The milestone was recognized
at Toyota engine facilities in Kentucky, West Virginia, Missouri, Alabama
and Ontario, where Toyota's engine production now employs nearly 3,500 and
reflects investment of $2.23 billion.
"This is a significant
accomplishment for Toyota in North America," said Seiichi Sudo, President
and CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. "We began engine
production here in 1990, and have steadily grown our powertrain operations
since then. Engine production is a vital part of our North American
manufacturing strategy."
In addition to Toyota's
current powertrain operations, there are several major expansions underway
in West Virginia, Alabama and Tennessee. These expansions are adding an
additional $614 million of investment and 720 new jobs to Toyota's North
American powertrain operations.
By 2008, Toyota will have the
annual capacity to build 1.81 million cars and trucks, 1.44 million
engines, and 600,000 automatic transmissions in North America. The
company's direct employment is 38,000, with direct investment of nearly
$16.3 billion. In addition, Toyota's annual purchasing of parts,
materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals more
than $26 billion. Toyota's North American-produced vehicles include the
Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Solara, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra,
and the Lexus RX330.
