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Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc., Announces Compensation Plan

28 October 1997

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc., Announces Compensation Plan

    BUFFALO, W.Va., Oct. 28 -- Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West
Virginia, Inc., (TMMWV) today announced its wage structure for production and
skilled maintenance hourly team members who will work at its engine plant in
Buffalo.
    "We are pleased to offer what we feel is a very competitive compensation
package for our team members," said David Copenhaver, General Manager of
Administration for TMMWV.  "This compensation package will enable us to
attract and retain the type of workforce we'll need to produce top-quality
Toyota engines."
    "Many hours of research and many factors were considered in developing our
total compensation package," Copenhaver said.  "We conducted an extensive wage
survey of companies in the Kanawha Valley, and of course we reviewed the wage
structures at Toyota's other plants in the U.S., and the American auto
industry in general.
    "All in all, the compensation package we will provide here will be very
competitive with other manufacturers in the Kanawha Valley, and it compares
very favorably to the other Toyota operations in this country and the U.S.
automotive industry," Copenhaver added.
    The starting wage rate for production team members will be $14 per hour.
During a team member's first two years, production wages will gradually
increase, eventually exceeding $18 per hour.  Skilled maintenance wages,
somewhat higher due to the need for demonstrated expertise on sophisticated
machinery, will start at an hourly rate of $17 with a three-year progression
to more than $22.  This type of gradual increase in wages during the first few
years of employment is typical for the U.S. auto industry.
    "At start up, we will need a number of skilled maintenance people who
already demonstrate knowledge and expertise at the upper levels of their
crafts.  Therefore, we may need to hire many of our skilled maintenance team
members at the higher end of the pay scale."
    In addition to competitive wages, TMMWV will offer a comprehensive benefit
package which will include, among other items, health care and a 401 (k)
savings plan.  Future plans will include a bonus program which will reward
team members for their contribution to the success of the company.
    "It is our goal to establish in West Virginia Toyota's worldwide
reputation as a leader in the auto industry, and as a quality employer,"
Copenhaver said.  "We believe that our compensation program will enable us to
attract, retain and motivate a successful team."
    TMMWV, which is slated to begin production in late 1998, will machine and
assemble 300,000 four-cylinder engines annually for the Toyota vehicle plants
in California and Canada, which make Corollas and Chevrolet Prizms.
    The plant will employ about 300 people.  About 18,000 people have filled
out applications for employment.  Hiring will begin early next year.

SOURCE  Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc.