Canadian Autoparts Toyota Announces 20% Capacity Expansion

Aluminum Wheel Manufacturer Celebrates 20th Anniversary With Fifth Expansion

DELTA, British Columbia, June 18 -- Canadian Autoparts Toyota, Inc. (CAPTIN), a Toyota manufacturing affiliate that engineers and produces aluminum wheels, today announced the fifth expansion in the company's 20-year history. By 2004, CAPTIN will have the capacity to produce 1.45 million wheels per year. The expansion represents an approximate $10 million (Canadian) additional investment by Toyota in CAPTIN.

CAPTIN was incorporated in 1983 by Toyota Motor Corporation and was the first manufacturing investment by a Japanese automaker in Canada. The plant produces 22 wheel models for Toyota's vehicles globally and employs approximately 230 team members.

"This is a proud day for our team members and suppliers," said Gary Smallenberg, president of CAPTIN. "Since our founding, we have produced over 11 million wheels at this facility. In the last two decades, the process of designing and creating aluminum wheels has evolved, but the philosophy of every team member -- continuous improvement and a commitment to quality -- has not."

"As one of our first plants in North America, CAPTIN has always played a vital role in our growing North American manufacturing operations," added Atsushi Niimi, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc., who attended the festivities today. "Every aspect of Toyota's operations -- sales, manufacturing, R&D, and more -- is touched by the quality products of CAPTIN. This expansion will be a vital part of Toyota's overall manufacturing expansion."

By 2006, Toyota will have capacity to build 1.65 million cars and trucks a year and 1.16 million engines in North America. 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. Toyota's North American-produced vehicles include the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Solara, Sequoia, Tacoma and Tundra, and Voltz. Beginning in September 2003, the Lexus RX 330 will be produced at the automaker's plant in Ontario, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada.