Toyota Celebrates Grand Opening of Tijuana Plant

TIJUANA, Mexico, Feb. 1, 2005 -- Baja California Governor Eugenio Elorduy joined state and local leaders and Toyota associates and executives today for the grand opening celebration of Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California (TMMBC) in Tijuana -- Toyota's first full- scale operation in Mexico.

The plant, which currently employs approximately 650 and plans to hire another 50 people, began production of Tacoma truck beds in August 2004 and Tacoma trucks in December 2004. At full production, the $140 million plant will manufacture 180,000 truck beds and 30,000 Tacoma vehicles per year. The truck beds are used in production both at TMMBC and New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. -- a joint venture of Toyota and General Motors in Fremont, California.

"Today we celebrate the accomplishments of our construction team and the Toyota associates working at TMMBC," said Hideki Matsunaga, president of TMMBC. "The high quality trucks and components built here are a testament to the hard work and dedication of this workforce and the entire community."

To commemorate the grand opening, Toyota donated $50,000 to enhance the libraries of local elementary schools. Distributed through The Foundation for the Protection of Children, the funds will purchase learning tools such as books and computers for schools in the neighborhoods where Toyota associates live.

"Toyota appreciates the warm welcome and strong support that we have received from this community. In return, we are committed to being a good neighbor," said Matsunaga. "The lasting benefit of these educational resources will be a symbol of Toyota's appreciation to the community where our associates live and work."

Various on-site suppliers and logistics partners provide an additional 175 jobs at the plant. This figure will grow to 240 when TMMBC is at full production.

In 2004, Toyota built 1.44 million cars and trucks and 1.27 million engines in North America. Toyota currently employs more than 36,000 people throughout North America. The company's direct investment is over $15.3 billion. Annual parts, materials, goods and services purchased from North American suppliers total another $25 billion. Toyota's North American-produced vehicles include the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Solara, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, and the Lexus RX 330.

For additional information, please log on to http://www.pressroom.toyota.com/ .