Toyota Will Make Major Announcement on Camry Hybrid Production Tuesday in Kentucky

Georgetown, Kentucky May 17, 2005; Toyota Motor Corp. will hold a news conference at its manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Kentucky Tuesday, where they are expected to announce plans to produce a hybrid version of the best selling Camry car, according to a Wall Street Journal report Monday. “Citing unnamed company executives, the Wall Street Journal reported Monday that Toyota planned to shift production of its hybrids to North America, but planned only to discuss the Camry model on Tuesday,” reports the Associated Press. The paper also reported the automaker was planning to produce a hybrid version of its small Corolla sedan in North America. Plant manager for the Georgetown facility Rick Hesterberg declined comment on the report. “In Tokyo, Toyota spokesman Paul Nolasco said Tuesday that shifting hybrid production entirely to North America is not "anywhere in the cards.”” Currently, the Georgetown facility, which opened in 1987, is the largest U.S.-based facility for the company, producing gas-versions of the Camry, Avalon and Solara models.