FIRST U.S.-BUILT FORKLIFT
ROLLS OFF LINE AT TOYOTA INDUSTRIAL EQUIPMENT MFG.

COLUMBUS, Indiana, May 10, 1990―The first American-built Toyota forklift rolled off the line at Toyota Industrial Equipment Mfg., (TIEM), Inc., here today.

The 5,000 lb. cushion-tire forklift is one of several forklift products to be manufactured at TIEM, a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and Toyoda Automatic Loom Works, Ltd.

The state-of-the-art manufacturing plant will produce 4,000-6,000 lb. cushion-tire trucks and 2,000-6,000 lb. pneumatic-tire trucks. In 1991, production will expand to include 2,000-6,000 cushion-tire trucks.

The Columbus facility is patterned after Toyota's Takahama plant near Nagoya and features the industry's most modern production facilities.

"In Columbus, we have the best opportunity to manufacture world-class quality industrial vehicles," says TIEM President Yasuhisa Koga. "The most advanced manufacturing facility, combined with an outstanding American workforce and supplier base, enable us to build forklift trucks that equal the quality of Toyota forklifts built in Japan."

Toyota's first industrial vehicle plant built outside of Japan is located on an 80-acre site. TIEM will employ approximately 180 people and produce approximately 5,000 units annually. The American-made forklifts will be sold by 78 Toyota Industrial Equipment (TIE) dealers in 125 locations throughout the U.S.