Toyota's Kentucky Plant Marks 20 Years

Tokyo ― TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that it held a ceremony in Lexington, Kentucky (U.S.A.) on May 20 (May 21 in Japan) to mark the 20th anniversary of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK). Welcoming Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher and local guests, among others, were TMC Vice Chairman Fujio Cho, TMMK President Gary Convis and other Toyota officials.

Twenty years ago "the people of the community and the state welcomed us whole heartedly, with open arms. We appreciate the support of so many Kentuckians. We started literally from nothing. Our thanks must go to our suppliers, also. The growth we saw would not have been possible without their support", said Cho at the ceremony, during which Convis announced a donation of $1 million U.S. (approximately 110 million yen) to Georgetown College and of Toyota vehicles to local organizations.

TMMK was established as the first independent Toyota vehicle production base in North America in 1986. It began producing the Camry in 1988, and it currently produces the Avalon, Camry and Solara, as well as Toyota engines. It is to start producing the Camry Hybrid in October. Also, in February, TMMK became the home of the new North American Production Support Center (NAPSC), which is expected to play a leading role in Toyota's localization and North American production efforts.

Furthermore, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI), Toyota's forth North American vehicle production base, and Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia (TMMWV), Toyota's third North American engine production base, have both reached their 10-year milestone, after having been established in 1996. TMMI held an anniversary ceremony on May 19 (May 20 in Japan), and TMMWV is scheduled to hold an anniversary ceremony on May 22 (also May 22 in Japan).

Toyota currently produces vehicles at five plants and engine and parts at seven plants in North America and plans to open Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas (TMMTX) in the fall of 2006. Toyota vehicles are also to be produced at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. from 2007, and, when the second plant of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada, Inc. in Ontario, Canada starts production in 2008, Toyota's North American annual production capacity is to reach 1.98 million units, as Toyota continues to further its localization efforts and actively contribute to its host communities.