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January 22, 2003
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This Week:

• News for the C-Class: sports packages for even more dynamic driving pleasure

• Sienna Minivan Rolls Off Toyota's New Indiana Production Line

• PSA Peugeot Citroën To build a Plant in Trnava, Slovakia

• For 2002, GM Earned $1.7 Billion, Or $3.35 Per Share

• Kia Hires New Director of Marketing Communications

• Automobile Magazine Honors BMW with Four All-Stars Awards In Annual Survey

• Volkswagen Marine at boot 2003

• Inglis, Cosgrove Retire From Ford

• North American International Auto Show Attracts More than 810,000 Visitors

• Buick Signs Gogel And Berganio For 2003

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Sienna Minivan Rolls Off Toyota's New Indiana Production Line

Photo: Toyota

PRINCETON, IN - Production of the all-new Sienna minivan was celebrated in a line-off ceremony at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI). TMMI has doubled employment and production capacity over the last two years in order to build the Sienna, which was previously made in Toyota's Kentucky plant. Current TMMI employment is 4,200 and is expected to grow to 4,700 by March, when second shift production begins. The $800 million expansion brings Toyota's total investment in Gibson County to $2 billion and annual production capacity to 300,000 vehicles.

The Sienna joins the Tundra pickup truck and the Sequoia sport utility vehicle at TMMI.

"We've come a long way over the last seven years," said Seizo Okamoto, who has been TMMI's president since ground was broken on the 1,160-acre site in 1996. "Our challenge to bring three quality vehicles to market in such a short period of time was huge. Thanks to our outstanding team members and community support, we did it."

In remarks to state and local officials and TMMI team members, Toyota Motor Corporation Senior Managing Director Yasihito Yamauchi underscored TMMI's importance.

"With ever-increasing global competition, the North American marketplace is of great importance to Toyota worldwide. TMMI plays a vital role in Toyota's North American manufacturing family," he said.

Sienna's move to Indiana allows the Kentucky plant to add the Solara to its Camry and Avalon production. Solara is moving from Canada, to make room for the Lexus RX 330 later this year.

(Jan 15, 2003)