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Toyota Marks Start of Hiace Export from Malaysia to Thailand


PHOTO



Tokyo, Japan, May. 29, 2006 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation
announced today that UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd. (UMWT)
has begun exporting the Hiace produced at Assembly Services Sdn. Bhd.
(ASSB)* to Thailand.

A ceremony to mark the start of exports was held today at ASSB in
Selangor Darul Ehsan. Many honored guests were in attendance, including
Malaysian Deputy Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Japanese Ambassador
to Malaysia Tadashi Imai. Also present were TMC Senior Managing Director
Akira Okabe, UMWT Chairman Tan Sri Asmat Kamaludin, Deputy Chairman
Yoshimi Ishii and Managing Director David Chen. 

In his speech, Okabe said, "The start of Hiace exports to Thailand is a
very historical event in Toyota's operation in Malaysia. This is in line
with the Malaysian automotive policy announced in March. We at Toyota
will continue to make efforts to strengthen our manufacturing operations
and to contribute to the development of the Malaysian auto industry."

Plans call for 3,300 units of the Hiace to be produced at ASSB in 2006,
of which 1,300 units will be exported to Thailand and for Hiace exports
to increase in 2007. ASSB has been producing automobiles since 1968, but
the export of the Hiace marks the first time for the company to export a
completed vehicle.

Since its initial launch in 1967, the Hiace has been renowned for its
high performance and high quality in Japan, as well as in countries in
Asia, the Middle East, Oceania, Africa and Latin America.

TMC hopes the export of the Hiace, which is a highly competitive vehicle
of world-class quality, will contribute to the further development of
Malaysia.

*ASSB is UMWT's wholly owned assembly plant in Malaysia. 



Outline of UMWT

Company name:                UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd. (UMWT) 
Managing director:           David Chen 
Field of business:           Import, export and sales of vehicles/parts 
2005 sales results:          93,200 units 
Shareholder composition:     UMW Holdings (51%), TMC (39%), 
                             Toyota Tsusho Corporation (10%) 
Number of employees:         2,700 


Outline of ASSB

Company name:                Assembly Services Sdn. Bhd. (ASSB) 
Product lineup:              Corolla, Camry, Hiace, VIOS, Hilux,
                             Innova, Fortuner, engines 
2005 production results:     54,900 units (including 10,500 engines) 
Shareholder composition:     UMW Toyota Motor Sdn. Bhd. 100% 
Number of employees:         2,900 



About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation develops and manufactures
vehicles, and is one of the largest car manufacturers in the world,
offering a wide range of products from minivehicles to trucks. In
addition to its core business, Toyota has a large business portfolio in
financial services, including sales finance, vehicle insurance, and
credit cards. It is also involved in telecommunications through a
subsidiary that provides cellular services in Japan. Other diversified
businesses include industrial equipment, prefabricated housing, and
leisure boats. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. Fot more
information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html.