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News @ Toyota

Toyota's Kentucky Plant Revs Past Eight Million Engines

GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY, (August 30, 2010) — Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) reached a significant milestone when its powertrain facility produced its eight-millionth engine on July 27, 2010.

Of the eight million engines produced, five-and-a-half million were four-cylinder engines and two-and-a-half million were six cylinder engines. TMMK employs about 6,600 full-time team members with about 900 of them dedicated to its powertrain facility.

Wil James and his wife, Michaelene, are greeted by former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins during a recent reception. Gov. Collins was instrumental in bringing Toyota to the Commonwealth nearly 25 years ago.

Wil James Comes Back Home to TMMK

GEORGETOWN, KENTUCKY, (August 23, 2010) — The announcement of Wilbert W. (Wil) James as TMMK’s new president was not a surprise to people familiar with the Georgetown operations or the business community of Central Kentucky.

James started at TMMK as a group leader in 1987 before the plant even built its first vehicle. The next 20 years provided a variety of opportunities and challenges as he continued to gain valuable experience utilizing the Toyota Production System. And, his leadership skills and qualities didn’t go unnoticed. James was soon named General Manager of Production Administration and later assumed responsibilities for Assembly operations at TMMK — Toyota’s largest plant in North America. Eventually he was named Vice President of Manufacturing and remained in that position until 2006.

Toyota Launches Tacoma Production in San Antonio

SAN ANTONIO, Texas (August 6, 2010) — Production of the Tacoma pickup truck began last month but was marked today with a ceremony at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. (TMMTX). The $100 million investment boosts total investment to $1.4 billion.

Tacoma’s production move to TMMTX was announced a year ago and adds 1,000 jobs. Today, over 2,800 team members are employed at TMMTX and the plant is fully positioned to ramp up Toyota’s pickup truck production for the American market.

Toyota Celebrates 10 Years of Prius

TORRANCE, Calif., (July 27, 2010 ) — Ten years ago Toyota launched a new kind of car in North America. It was the Prius, an affordable car with a hybrid gas/electric powertrain. In the decade that followed, the Prius made an indelible mark on the automotive industry. The car with the signature wedge shape proved to be an agent of change, and a catalyst for innovative ideas. Over 1.8 million units have been sold in the world to date, with nearly 900,000 in the U.S. alone.

Toyota Awards $123,000 in Grants to Six Local Non-Profit Agencies

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (July 7, 2010) — Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) today awarded $123,000 in grants to six Louisville non-profit organizations, with the money aimed at improving the lives of children and youth.

The recipients are: Americana Community Center ($10,000); Governor’s School for the Arts
($38,000); Louisville Metro Parks Foundation ($5,000); Louisville Urban League ($20,000); Project One ($20,000); and the Louisville Zoo ($30,000).

Toyota Reports June and First-Half Sales

TORRANCE, Calif. (July 1, 2010) — Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported June sales of 140,604 units. With equal selling days in June 2009 and June 2010, sales were up 6.8 percent over the year-ago month on a daily selling rate (DSR) and unadjusted raw volume basis.

The Toyota Division posted June sales of 123,272 units, an increase of 7.4 percent over the same period last year. The Lexus Division reported June sales of 17,332 units, an increase of 2.7 percent over the year-ago month.

Toyota Division passenger cars recorded June sales of 73,811 units, a decrease of 2.2 percent from the year-ago month. Passenger car sales were led by Camry and Camry Hybrid which posted combined June sales of 28,435 units, up 7.7 percent over June 2009. Corolla recorded sales of 21,876 units, up 9.7 percent over the same period last year. The Prius mid-size gas-electric hybrid reported sales of 10,998 units. The new Avalon sedan posted monthly sales of 2,833 units, up 32.8 percent over the year-ago month.

Toyota Launches Ad Campaign Focusing on Kentucky, Indiana and Southern Ohio

Toyota’s manufacturing division, which now builds 12 different vehicles in North America, has recently launched a tri-state wide advertising campaign.

The campaign focuses on the company’s efforts to support communities across Kentucky, Indiana and southern Ohio as well as the local economies.

Give the radio ads a listen:

Driven

“Driven” is a monthly video magazine that takes a look at the places, people, processes and other aspects of the Toyota that may not be widely known or experienced. Join us for an insider's look at Toyota in North America.