Gov. Riley Announces Major Expansion Of Toyota Manufacturing Facilities In Huntsville/Madison County Area

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., July 14 -- Gov. Bob Riley joined with officials from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama on Monday to announce an historic major expansion of the company's facility currently located in the Huntsville/Madison County area.

"In May, I traveled to Huntsville to celebrate the completion of the first Toyota V8 engine ever produced outside of Japan, and now, just two months later, we are celebrating a major expansion of that very same facility," Riley said. "This expansion is not only a testament to the success and ingenuity of our friends at Toyota, it's a direct result of the work ethic, pride and dedication of the citizens of Alabama."

Toyota's expansion will include an additional investment of $20 million in its Alabama facility and will add 150 new jobs, a figure that raises the facility's total workforce to approximately 500 employees. The additional investment will allow Toyota to produce 130,000 Alabama-made V-6 Tacoma and Tundra pickup engines and bring its total production to 250,000 engines per year.

With the new expansion, Toyota has invested $240 million in Alabama since announcing its location in the state.

Toyota executive Haruaki Hoshino credited support from community leaders and plant employees alike for the rapid and impressive expansion.

"Today's announcement reflects the high performance and quality of our Alabama plant," said Hoshino, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama. "I attribute this expansion to our hard working team members and the tremendous support from the Huntsville/Madison County community."

Toyota Motor North America Senior Vice President Dennis Cuneo said the newly-expanded facility will play a major role in the future of Toyota's truck manufacturing and marketing in the United States.

"The V6 engine is critical to Toyota's growing North American truck market," Cuneo said. "We are very pleased to have the opportunity to expand in Alabama."