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Toyota's Ontario Operation to Boost RAV4 Production in Spring 2010


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2010 Toyota RAV4

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CAMBRIDGE, Ontario, Dec. 10, 2009; Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. (TMMC) will add a second shift to build more RAV4s at its Woodstock, Ontario facility in March 2010. TMMC, which also builds the Corolla, Matrix, and the Lexus RX350, will add more than 800 jobs and increase RAV4 production to 150,000 vehicles. Hiring begins this month.

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Production of the RAV4 SUV began in November 2008 with one-shift and 1,200 Team Members. Toyota will now build the majority of RAV4s for the North American market in Ontario.

"Thanks to the high demand for this popular vehicle, we are able to increase production in Woodstock," said Ray Tanguay, president of TMMC. "We are very pleased to be able to continue our growth and provide jobs in the local community. This is a vote of confidence in the RAV4 product, the quality of our suppliers and the capability of our Canadian Team Members. In addition, this move demonstrates Toyota's continued commitment to North American production and to building where we sell."

The additional 800 jobs will boost the total TMMC employment to approximately 6,500. TMMC has manufactured vehicles since November 1988 and has the capacity to build 420,000 units annually.

About Toyota

Toyota established operations in North America in 1957 and currently operates 14 manufacturing plants. There are more than 1,800 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2.5 million vehicles in 2008. Toyota directly employs nearly 41,000 in North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals nearly $25 billion.

Toyota currently produces 12 vehicles in North America, including the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and the Lexus RX 350.