Toyota Reaches Data Network Milestone, Connects 1,000 Locations With WorldCom IP VPN

  Automaker Integrates WorldCom Net Conferencing and Managed Email Services
     With Massive IP VPN Solution to Further Enhance Business Efficiency

    CLINTON, Miss., Sept. 4 WorldCom , the
leading global business data and Internet communications provider, today
announced the milestone installation of 1,000 dedicated site connections to
the Internet Protocol virtual private network (IP VPN) that WorldCom manages
for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.  This state-of-the-art network deployment
represents one of WorldCom's largest installed IP VPN customers to date.
    The automaker's massive data network securely links Toyota Motor Sales
U.S.A. offices with independent Toyota and Lexus dealerships, private
distributors and business partners across America.  In addition, Toyota has
integrated WorldCom Net Conferencing and Managed Email services with its IP
VPN to create a single, comprehensive IP-based communications solution for its
U.S. operations.
    "Toyota's commitment to innovation and excellence extends from the
vehicles we build to the sales and service information infrastructure that
drives customer satisfaction," said Barbra Cooper, chief information officer
for Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A.  "At Toyota, we consider IT a strategic tool
offering a powerful competitive advantage.  We want our e-infrastructure to
work harder, so we can focus greater attention on our core business.  Based on
its proven network management expertise, its unrivaled network, and its
advanced data solutions we chose WorldCom for this cutting-edge IP VPN project
-- and WorldCom has delivered."
    Toyota's IP VPN solution utilizes dedicated high-speed connections at each
location, allowing dealerships to better serve their customers through quick
access to updates on vehicle allocations, inventories and deliveries, as well
as parts availability, consumer financing, and marketing and training
materials.  It streamlines dealer vehicle maintenance operations by delivering
diagnostic and repair information, training videos, diagrams and schematics
online -- relieving the need for publishing, updating and distributing service
manuals to dealer technicians.
    In addition to secure access to sales and service information, the Toyota
IP VPN solution also provides each Toyota and Lexus dealer with a high-speed
connection to the Internet.  A customized solution, the Toyota IP VPN offers
easily scalable bandwidth upgrades on-demand through quick software changes
instead of equipment modifications.  It comes complete with unique order
processing and tracking mechanisms.
    "By deploying an IP VPN and outsourcing its management to WorldCom, Toyota
is leveraging the power of Internet-based communications technology with the
efficiency and value of a fully managed network solution," said Cindy
Andreotti, senior vice president of WorldCom Global Accounts.  "It showcases
Toyota's position as a pioneering information technology force in the auto
industry and WorldCom's unique ability to build and manage advanced data
networks for customers of all sizes.  By combining WorldCom's IP VPN solution
with its advanced Net Conferencing and Managed Email services, Toyota is
demonstrating how e-business solutions are transforming business today."
    Toyota will use WorldCom Net Conferencing, through its managed IP VPN
solution, to interactively train and inform its independent dealers nationwide
- while cutting travel costs.  The service enables participants to accomplish
more in their Internet-based meetings by viewing presentations via the
Internet while listening to a presenter through a standard audio conference.
Attendees simply log on to a predetermined Web site to view presentations
without special software or firewall issues.
    WorldCom Managed Email allows Toyota to centralize its communications
between dealerships, distributors and partners via the Internet.  WorldCom
Managed Email allows full or partial outsourcing solutions of a customer's
e-mail requirements including hosted mailboxes with integration and
interconnection to the customers' self-managed email servers or to WorldCom-
managed email servers that reside in a secure WorldCom Data Center.

    About Toyota Motor Sales
    Toyota Motor Sales, (TMS) USA is the marketing, sales, distribution and
customer service arm of Toyota in America.  Toyota is America's fourth largest
carmaker and manufactures more than one million cars per year in North
America. TMS is a wholly owned subsidiary of Toyota Motor Corporation. Toyota
ADRs are traded on the New York Stock Exchange .
    Established in 1957, TMS oversees operations of more than 1390 Toyota and
Lexus and dealerships in 49 states. With approximately 6700 employees, Toyota
Motor Sales and its subsidiaries also are involved in distribution logistics,
motorsports R & D and the general aviation and recreational boating
industries.  The company's main Web site is http://www.toyota.com .

    About WorldCom Group
    WorldCom Group is a preeminent global communications
provider for the digital generation, operating in more than 65 countries with
annualized revenues of more than $20 billion.  WorldCom provides the
innovative technologies and services that are the foundation for business in
the 21st century.  For more information go to http://www.worldcom.com .

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