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Toyota's North American Production Reaches Five Million Units

25 November 1997

Toyota's North American Production Reaches Five Million Units - North American Annual Capacity Goal of More Than 1,000,000 Units in Sight -

    NEW YORK, Nov. 25 -- Toyota Motor Corporate Services
announced today that cumulative North American production of Toyota vehicles
surpassed five million units during October.  Toyota, the fourth-largest
automaker in the U.S., began producing automobiles here in 1986.
    Year-to-date, Toyota's three North American manufacturing facilities have
produced a total of 699,869 vehicles, an increase of 5.8 percent compared to
the same period in 1996.   In 1998, Toyota's plan calls for North American
production capacity to top one million units.
    Toyota's ability to maintain production volumes while executing model
changes accounts for the overall increase of annual production. All three
North American production facilities had more responsibility this year than
just producing vehicles.  At Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, (TMMK), the
all-new Sienna minivan was added to the production mix along with the Camry
and Avalon.  The redesigned 1998 Toyota Corolla is manufactured at Toyota
Motor Manufacturing Canada, (TMMC), and New United Motor Manufacturing Inc.,
(NUMMI), Toyota's joint venture with GM in Fremont, Calif.  With all three
assembly facilities handling model changeovers, the increase in North American
production is even more impressive.
    "In a little more than ten years, Toyota has accomplished something
remarkable," said Mikio Kitano, President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North
America. "This achievement is evidence of the dedication and hard work of our
team members and suppliers across North America," he continued.
    For the month of October, TMMK manufactured more than 40,692 vehicles, a
9.7 percent increase as compared to 1996.  This includes more than 7,500
Sienna minivans.  For 1997, TMMK has produced 364,481 vehicles, representing a
12.5 percent increase compared to the same period in 1996.
    U.S. sales of North American produced vehicles continue to be more than
60 percent of the total vehicles sold.  This number will continue to grow as
Toyota opens two new facilities; Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana will
produce the T100 pickup truck and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia
will produce engines for North American built Toyota Corollas.

SOURCE  Toyota Motor Corporate Services