Toyota to Expand Woodstock, Ontario Plant

WOODSTOCK, Ontario, Feb. 7, 2006 -- Toyota said today that annual production capacity will increase to 150,000 RAV4 sport utility vehicles at a plant under construction here. Total employment will reach about 2,000 and the total investment will grow to about C$1.1 billion/US$950 million.

The facility, managed by Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) in Cambridge, was announced last June and construction began in October. Production begins in 2008.

"This capacity increase gives us the flexibility to adjust to future market demand," said Seiichi Sudo, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America (TMMNA). "We are confident in TMMC's ability to handle this growth."

Ray Tanguay, president of TMMC, said the expansion is further evidence of the strength of the auto industry.

"This announcement is a vote of confidence by Toyota and the consumers, and demonstrates that auto manufacturing is alive and well in Canada," he said. "It is not only good news for our team members, but also for Canada and our suppliers across North America."

"We knew that Toyota's new plant in Woodstock would bring tremendous benefits to the community and to all of Ontario, and now our great expectations have quickly been exceeded," said Ontario Economic Development and Trade Minister Joe Cordiano. "Toyota's continued investment in Woodstock is a strong vote of confidence in Ontario's highly skilled workforce, and we are proud of their decision to choose this great province."

TMMC, which employs 4,300 and builds the Corolla, Matrix and Lexus RX330, has been manufacturing vehicles in Cambridge since November 1988. TMMC built more than 306,000 units in 2005.

Toyota established operations in North America in 1957 and currently operates 14 manufacturing plants including two under construction. There are more than 1,700 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sell more than 2.5 million vehicles a year. Toyota directly employs over 38,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $16.3 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals more than $26 billion. According to a 2005 Center for Automotive Research study, Toyota, along with its dealers and suppliers, has generated nearly 400,000 U.S. jobs, including jobs created through spending by direct, dealer and suppliers employees.

North American-produced vehicles include the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Solara, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra and the Lexus RX 330. By 2008, Toyota will have the annual capacity to build 1.88 million cars and trucks, 1.44 million engines and 600,000 automatic transmissions in North America.