Toyota Opens New Vehicle Plant in Brazil

Sorocaba, Brazil, August 9, 2012―Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that Toyota do Brasil Ltda. (TDB), TMC's Brazilian sales and manufacturing subsidiary, held an opening ceremony here today at its new vehicle plant.

The ceremony was attended by Brazilian Minister of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade Fernando Pimentel; Sao Paulo Governor Geraldo Alckmin; Sorocaba Mayor Vitor Lippi; Ambassador of Japan to Brazil Akira Miwa; TMC President Akio Toyoda and TDB President Shunichi Nakanishi. At the ceremony, Toyoda said: "Fifty-four years since we arrived in Brazil in 1958, I am extremely delighted to be here for the opening of the new Sorocaba Plant and to present the Etios―a true Brazilian car for the Brazilian people―that only we who have made such efforts to know the roads of Brazil can build. From my heart, let me say that Toyota wants to grow further, together with Brazil."

Nakanishi said: "Now today, we set a new milestone in Toyota do Brasil's history." He went on to state Toyota's aim to double its sales in Brazil in the next two years and become a leading player in the Brazilian market within the next 10 years.

Also in attendance at the ceremony was former Japanese national soccer team coach Arthur Antunes Coimbra, better known as Zico. He was especially thanked by Toyoda for his efforts to support victims of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake.

The Sorocaba Plant opened today is scheduled to begin production of the "Etios" compact sedan in September, with a starting annual production capacity of 70,000 units. The new plant represents an investment of approximately 600 million U.S. dollars and the creation of approximately 1,500 new jobs. Production increases are to be considered based on demand.

The first Etios off the Sorocaba Plant production line is to be donated to Pastoral do Menor, an NGO that supports local underprivileged children, as part of Toyota's ongoing social contribution activities.

TDB, established in 1958, is Toyota's forefront manufacturing affiliate outside of Japan. It has constantly worked to manufacture vehicles valued by Brazilian consumers, and produced and sold more than 100,000 "Bandeirante"* SUVs between 1958 and 2001. In 1998, TDB began production of the Corolla, continuing its growth in step with the Brazilian market.

TMC, based on its principle of contributing to local society through the manufacture of automobiles, aims to continue contributing to Brazil's automotive industry and to offer Brazilian consumers attractive products that meet their needs.