Toyota Motor
Corporation (TMC) announces that its R&D and production headquarters
in North America, Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North
America, Inc. (TEMA), held a ceremony today commemorating cumulative
production of 25 million units in North America*. The ceremony was
held at one of TMC's production affiliates, Toyota Motor
Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK), in Georgetown, Kentucky, the
United States.
Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and other government officials
attended the ceremony, as well as TEMA Executive Vice President
Steve St. Angelo and Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. Group Vice
President Bill Fay. At the ceremony, St. Angelo said: "Toyota's 25
millionth vehicle signifies the tireless work of thousands of Toyota
team members and hundreds of supplier partners in North America
giving their best every day. We continue to evolve as a company,
thanks to their commitment to build the best vehicles in the
market."
Toyota began production in North America in 1986, with cumulative
production there reaching 10 million units in 2002 and 20 million
units in 2009. The 25 million-unit mark was reached this year at the
end of October. Total investment and employment in relation to
production in North American has thus far amounted to approximately
24 billion U.S. dollars and 365,000 jobs.
On the day of the ceremony, TMMK also began production of the new
"Avalon" premium mid-size sedan, designed and engineered in North
America. A new hybrid model of the Avalon achieves class top
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy of 40 miles per
gallon.
Currently, 12 vehicle models including the Avalon and the "Camry"
are produced in North America, with 70 percent of vehicles sold in
the region produced locally.
TMC will continue to promote activities that contribute to the
economies and societies of North America, and as a good corporate
citizen, Toyota will continue to manufacture vehicles locally to
meet the needs of consumers.
*North American production compromises production (including CKD
production) in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
