Toyota names Fukuda president of Mississippi plant

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. (TEMA) on August 3 announced that Misao Fukuda will be president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi Inc. (TMMMS).

Fukuda, 47, who is a 24-year Toyota veteran, joins TMMMS from Toyota Motor Corporation in Japan where he held a number of positions in production control and global strategic production planning. Fukuda will oversee the plant's manufacturing operations.

The following new assignments for TMMMS are effective immediately:

• Al Ackerman, vice president, manufacturing. Ackerman was formerly vice president, powertrain at Toyota's Kentucky vehicle assembly plant.

• David Copenhaver, vice president, production, administration support. Copenhaver was formerly vice president, administration of Toyota's West Virginia engine and transmission plant.

• Junichiro Morita, treasurer. Morita will also continue to serve as treasurer of TEMA, Toyota's engineering and manufacturing organization in Kentucky.

• Masaomi Nakahata, senior advisor to the president. Nakahata was formerly at Toyota Motor Corporation.

Additionally, the following new assignments at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) are effective immediately:

• Cheryl Jones, vice president, manufacturing, assembly, production control, organizational development group and powertrain. Jones was formerly vice president, manufacturing, assembly, production control and organizational development group at TMMK.

• David Cox, general manager, powertrain. Cox was formerly project general manager, manufacturing at TMMK.

Announced in late February, TMMMS will produce the Toyota Highlander SUV and is scheduled to begin by 2010. Annual vehicle capacity will be 150,000 units.