Toyota Holds Its No. 1 Position as the World's Largest Lift Truck Supplier

IRVINE, Calif.--Oct. 4, 2004--Toyota Material Handling, U.S.A. Inc. (TMHU) announced today that Toyota has been ranked the largest supplier of lift trucks in the world for the second consecutive year according to the August 2004 issue of Modern Materials Handling, a leading industry publication. With $4.23 billion in lift truck sales, Toyota tops the publication's list of the "World's Top 20 Lift Truck Suppliers," which includes companies from around the globe.

For the fiscal year 2003 Toyota managed to top its 2002 sales, increasing its own sales record by $1.13 billion.

Toyota also is the No. 1 supplier in the United States. According to third-party research performed by Crist Information & Research, TMHU has the largest percentage of market share in the U.S. lift truck industry.

"TMHU is proud to contribute to Toyota's global efforts. This year was incredible for Toyota and we expect to increase our sales again in 2004," said Dr. Shankar Basu, president and CEO of TMHU. "We attribute our ongoing success to our strong dealer network, the well-timed introduction of new products and the emphasis Toyota puts on safety, customer satisfaction, overall value and technological innovations."

In 2003, TMHU debuted several advanced new lift trucks, including the 7-Series three-wheel electric lift trucks, raising the industry standards of technology, productivity, efficiency and safety. The new trucks feature an exclusive AC power system, engineered and built by Toyota, which offers customers new levels of both power and energy efficiency. In early 2004, TMHU launched several new electric lift trucks, including a new 7-Series Stand Up electric lift truck, a 7-Series Electric Reach truck and a new 4,500-lb. Electric Walkie model.

TMHU has headquarters in Irvine, and offers a full line of high-quality lift trucks sold under the Toyota brand. Built on a reputation for excellence, Toyota is known for its quality, reliability and durability. Most of the Toyota lift trucks sold in the United States are manufactured in Columbus, Ind.

Toyota's commitment to excellence in customer service extends nationwide. Seventy-one authorized Toyota Industrial Equipment dealers with a total of 186 dealership locations throughout the United States offer comprehensive customer service support, including one-stop shopping for both new and Certified Used lift trucks, parts, service and financing. For more information on TMHU, visit www.toyotaforklift.com or call 800-226-0009.