Toyota Reaches 15 Million Mark in North American Production

[wmarhel]

From the American International Auto Dealers Association:

Toyota announced today it has reached the 15 million mark in North American production. This milestone marks 20 years of manufacturing in North America, supported by a $16 billion investment in North American operations.

"This is a great accomplishment for Toyota in North America," said Seiichi Sudo, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. (NYSE:TM) "This milestone has been reached because of the total team effort given. Every member of the manufacturing and design team has contributed to this phenomenal growth and success. I also want to thank our suppliers, sales teams, and our loyal customers who have contributed to making Toyota one of the most popular brands in America and Lexus the most popular luxury brand."

Toyota operates 12 vehicle manufacturing, powertrain, and components facilities in North America. Toyota will continue to further its commitment to build vehicles locally with two more North American plants under construction -- in San Antonio, Texas and Woodstock, Ontario.

Toyota now manufactures 10 vehicles in North America: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna, Solara, Tacoma, Tundra, and Lexus RX330. Production of the Camry Hybrid begins in the fall of 2006 in Kentucky, and the RAV4 in 2008, in Ontario.

Toyota first began conducting business in North America in 1957 and began manufacturing parts in 1972 in California. In 1986, Toyota expanded operations to manufacture vehicles in a joint venture with GM at New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. in Fremont, California. Toyota now directly employs 27,000 jobs in manufacturing, and there are an additional 95,000 supplier jobs dedicated to Toyota business in North America.

By 2008, Toyota will have the annual capacity to build 1.83 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 a current investment of $16.3 billion. A 2005 study by the Center for Automotive Research found that Toyota, along with dealers and suppliers, had created nearly 400,000 jobs*. 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 RX 330. In late 2006, Toyota will begin producing the Camry Hybrid in Kentucky, and in 2008, RAV4 will begin production in Ontario.

*2005 Center for Automotive Research Study (2003 data). Includes direct, dealer and supplier employees and jobs created through their spending.

400,000 is a lot of jobs and based on information from other sources....probably many more to come.

Wayne