Toyota Plants Capture Top J.D. Power and Associates
Awards
Four of Toyota's North American-built Vehicles Rated Best in Their Segment
ERLANGER, Ky., May 17 Two of Toyota's North American
Assembly plants took top honors in this year's North American plant quality
awards in the J.D. Power and Associates 2001 Initial Quality Study(SM). Four
of the automaker's North American-built vehicles -- Avalon, Corolla, Sienna,
and Tundra -- rated best in their segment.
Plant and vehicle rankings from J.D. Power and Associates, a marketing
information firm, are determined through surveys of new vehicle owners
regarding the number of problems they experience with their new vehicles
during the first 90 days of ownership.
"I am so proud of our North American manufacturing team members. All of
their hard work and attention to detail has certainly paid off in this
prestigious honor," said Teruyuki Minoura, president and CEO of Toyota Motor
Manufacturing North America, Inc.
"The consistent effort of our team members to improve quality, under
highly demanding circumstances has been tremendous. It's nice to know that
our customers appreciate their efforts," he said.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., located in Cambridge, Ontario,
which makes the Corolla and Camry Solara, earned the Gold Plant Quality Award.
The Corolla, also produced at New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. (NUMMI) in
Fremont, Calif., a joint venture between Toyota and General Motors, won Best
Compact Car for the third straight year.
The automaker's Georgetown, Ky. plant, Toyota Motor Manufacturing,
Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) tied with Honda's Maryville, Oh. plant for the Silver
Plant Quality Award. The Toyota Avalon and Sienna, both made at TMMK,
received the Best Premium Midsize Car and Compact Van. America's number one
selling car, the Camry is also manufactured there.
Toyota's hot-selling Tundra pick-up truck received the Best Full-size
Pick-up in Initial Quality Award. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.
manufactures the Tundra and the new Sequoia SUV (production began September
2000).
Since 1990, Toyota's North American manufacturing plants have earned
15 plant quality awards from J.D. Power and Associates. Combined with NUMMI's
five plant quality awards, Toyota has earned a total of 20 of the 36 plant
quality awards issued by J.D. Power and Associates since 1990 (see following).
Toyota's success extends beyond North America. Its Kyushu, Japan, car
plant earned the Platinum Plant Quality Award for the second straight year,
the J.D. Power and Associates' highest ranking among all vehicle assembly
plants worldwide. The Kyushu plant is home to the Lexus ES 300, which won
Best Entry Luxury Car. The Toyota Tahara plant in Japan, manufacturer of the
Lexus LS 430 (Best Premium Luxury) and Lexus GS Sedan, earned the Silver Award
in the Asia Pacific Plant Awards. The automaker's Kyushu, Japan, truck plant
won the Bronze Award. This plant manufactures the Lexus RX300.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc.
J.D. Power and Associates Plant Quality Awards
As of May 17, 2001
Year Plant Award
1990 TMMK Gold
1991 TMMC Gold
TMMK Silver
1992 TMMC Silver
TMMK Bronze
1993 TMMK Gold
TMMC Bronze
1994 TMMK Gold
NUMMI Silver
1995 TMMC Gold
NUMMI Bronze
1996 TMMC Gold
NUMMI Bronze
1997 TMMK Bronze
1999 NUMMI Silver
2000 TMMK Gold
NUMMI Silver
TMMC Bronze
2001 TMMC Gold
TMMK Silver
Total J.D. Power Plant Quality Awards won to date ..... 20
TMMK: 8 (4 Gold, 2 Silver, 2 Bronze)
TMMC: 7 (4 Gold, 1 Silver, 2 Bronze)
NUMMI: 5 (3 Silver, 2 Bronze)
