Cambridge Toyota Plant Announces New Paint Facility for Lexus Production

    CAMBRIDGE, Ontario, May 25 Toyota Motor Manufacturing
Canada Inc. (TMMC), manufacturer of the Corolla, Camry Solara and Solara
convertible, will build a new paint facility on the Cambridge site to serve
the needs of Lexus RX 300 production scheduled for 2003.
    Leading-edge paint technologies will be used for Lexus production,
including an environment-friendly, water-borne cartridge paint system. The
cartridge system means that flushing paint lines is no longer required between
applications and color changes.
    "The decision to build a new paint shop is part of our commitment to
maintaining the luxury Lexus brand standard of quality," said TMMC President
Tak Sakaue.  TMMC's award-winning plant, with an international reputation for
high levels of safety, quality and productivity, was chosen last year to be
the first plant outside Japan to manufacture Lexus.
    "We know we will be up to the challenge of Lexus production," said Mr.
Sakaue.  "The systems and processes will be in place well ahead of the launch
of production."
    Senior Vice-President Ray Tanguay said team members are excited by the
challenge of Lexus.  "Lexus vehicles are at the forefront of quality and
refinement.  With this new paint shop we will keep our promise to make the
finest vehicles ever built, while maintaining our commitment to the
environment."
    Investment in the new facility is expected to be approximately
$200 million.  Of the approximately 300 new jobs we expect to create by 2003,
about half of them will be in the new 270,000 square foot paint facility,
which will be built on the east side of the existing 2.8 million square foot
plant.
    Work on the new paint facility will begin at the end of May 2001, and be
completed by July 2002.  Employment on the project is expected to reach 800
construction workers at the peak of activity, with an average of 400 for the
duration. Process equipment will be installed by January 2003, and
commissioning completed in time for the start of Lexus production that fall.
    Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. has been manufacturing vehicles in
Cambridge, Ontario since 1988.  TMMC has received seven J.D. Power &
Associates plant quality awards, including this year's Gold Plant Quality
Award as the plant with the best quality among the more than 80 car and truck
plants in North and South America.

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