Toyota's North American production hit record in 2007

Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. (TEMA) boosted vehicle and engine production to record levels at its North American plants in 2007, the company announced on January 11. Toyota built 1,671,009 vehicles, an 8 percent increase, and 1,571,872 engines, a 10 percent increase. Gains are largely attributed to Tundra production ramp-up in Texas and Camry production in Indiana.

North American Toyota production began in 1984 and has grown steadily over the years. Toyota's production has increased 39 percent over the last five years. In addition, this year Toyota will build its 20 millionth vehicle in North America including the 5 millionth Corolla.

Toyota produces 11 models in North America: Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna, Solara, Tacoma, Tundra and Lexus RX350 in North America.

Toyota is preparing to increase vehicle capacity to approximately 2.2 million units by 2010.

In 2008 and beyond:
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) will produce the Venza crossover sedan starting this fall.
• A new Toyota plant in Woodstock, Ontario will open late in the year with the capacity to build 150,000 RAV4s.
• In 2010, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi, Inc. (TMMMS) will open with the capacity to produce 150,000 Highlanders.

In 2007, the following projects were completed:
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia (TMMWV) completed an expansion resulting in increased production of 240,000 transmissions and 150 new jobs.
• Subaru Indiana Automotive, Inc. (SIA) began production of the Camry in April, adding 1,000 jobs. Toyota owns a stake in SIA's parent, Fuji Heavy Industries.
• Toyota Motor Manufacturing Baja California (TMMBC) increased its Tacoma capacity by 20,000 units to 50,000 and truck bed capacity by 20,000 to 200,000.
• The following vehicles hit North American production milestones: Tacoma (3 million), Avalon (1 million) and Tundra (1 million).

*Total does not include General Motors vehicles built at NUMMI, a joint-venture between Toyota and General Motors in Fremont, Calif. In 2007, NUMMI manufactured 49,371 Pontiac Vibe vehicles.

*TMMWV's total automatic transmission production for 2007 was 375,933.

In addition to the above mentioned plants, Toyota subsidiary Bodine Aluminum, Inc., in Tennessee and Missouri, casts aluminum parts such as cylinder heads, intake manifolds, engine brackets and engine blocks. TABC, Inc. in Long Beach, California, manufactures truck beds, catalytic converters, stamped parts, coated substrates and steering columns, along with Hino Trucks. Canadian Autoparts Toyota, Inc. (CAPTIN) in Delta, British Columbia, produces aluminum wheels.

Toyota's North American vehicle and engine production – five year history:

Year                             Vehicle Production         YOY Change

2007                                1,671,009                           8%

2006                                1,553,790                Unchanged

2005                                1,558,895                           8%

2004                                1,443,889                          13%

2003                                1,278,359                           6%

Year                             Engine Production         YOY Change

2007                                1,571,872                          10%

2006                                1,428,662                          10%

2005                                1,295,227                           2%

2004                                1,273,437                          15%

2003                                1,112,074                          12%