Toyota Celebrates New San Antonio Truck Plant

Global President Fujio Cho Joins Government Officials at Institute of Texan Cultures

Monday, February 10, at 11:00 am CST

SAN ANTONIO, Texas, Feb. 10 -- Toyota today celebrated the announcement of its sixth North American assembly plant with local, state and federal officials at the Institute of Texan Cultures.

Last Wednesday, Toyota announced that it had chosen a 2000-acre site in San Antonio to build approximately 150,000 Tundra full size trucks annually, beginning in 2006. The new plant will represent an $800 million investment by Toyota and is expected to bring approximately 2,000 new jobs to Texas and indirectly create work for many more.

Toyota Motor Corporation Fujio Cho came in from Japan to attend today's celebration. "The excitement we've felt from the people of San Antonio since last week's announcement has been extremely gratifying," said Mr. Cho.

"Besides being a great place to live and work, San Antonio is a city of the future. Located in an important corridor for North American trade, it will undoubtedly serve as a vital link tomorrow for businesses all around the world. We are very pleased to have a chance to contribute to the growth of the local economy in this growing region of the U.S.," Mr. Cho added.

"Texas is home to the best business climate in the nation because our taxes are low, our regulations are reasonable, our economy is diverse, our location is ideal, and in Texas we recognize the value and contributions of good corporate citizens," added Governor Rick Perry. "Toyota has long been known as a good corporate citizen as well as an industry leader. We are proud to welcome them to Texas."

The following government officials were scheduled to attend today's festivities: Texas Governor Rick Perry; U.S. Senator John Cornyn; U.S. Congressman Ciro Rodriguez; U.S. Congressman Henry Bonilla; U.S. Congressman Charles Gonzalez; U.S. Congressman Lamar Smith; Bexar County Judge Nelson Wolff; San Antonio Mayor Ed Garza, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst; and Texas Speaker of the House Tom Craddick.

Toyota currently employs some 34,000 people throughout North America. The company's direct investment is nearly $14 billion with annual parts, materials, goods and services purchased from North American suppliers totaling nearly $20 billion.

A Video News Release will be available at the following times and coordinates:

  February 10, 2003 - 3:45 - 4:00 p.m. EST   C-Band, Telstar 4,
                                               Transponder 11
  February 10, 2003 - 8:00 - 8:15 p.m. EST   C-Band, Telstar 6,
                                               Transponder 15
  February 11, 2003 - 1:00 - 1:30 p.m. EST   C-Band, Telstar 5,
                                               Transponder 19

An Audio News Release will be available at the following times and coordinates:

  February 10, 2003 - 4:45 - 5:00 a.m. EST
  ABC Radio Satellite: GE-8, Transponder 23

  February 10, 2003 - 5:30 - 5:45 a.m. and 8:15 - 8:30 a.m. EST
  CBS/CNN Radio Satellite: GE-8, Transponder 21, Channel 43

  Note: Clean feed of Celebration podium camera at event available.

Visit Toyota's Website at www.toyota.com/texas or Toyota's on-line newsroom: pressroom.toyota.com.

Source: Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America

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