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Toyota President Hiroshi Okuda Named California Manufacturing Association Manufacturer of the Year

18 March 1998

Toyota Motor Corporation President Hiroshi Okuda Named California Manufacturing Association Manufacturer of the Year

    SACRAMENTO, Calif., March 17 -- Toyota Motor Corporation
President Hiroshi Okuda was named Manufacturer of the Year by the 80-year-old,
1,000-member California Manufacturers Association (CMA) at a black-tie gala
honoring California Manufacturing Week.
    Okuda, 66, is the first non-American to receive the award.
    California Governor Pete Wilson joined a group of almost 1,000 California
legislators and state industry leaders honoring Okuda at the Sacramento
Convention Center.
    "I want to congratulate Hiroshi Okuda for being named CMA's Manufacturer
of the Year," said Governor Wilson.  "The Toyota Motor Corporation came to the
Golden State over 40 years ago and has been a vital part of the state's
economy ever since.  They not only produce a quality product and provide jobs
to Californians, but they are also active participants in the community."
    The CMA award, a bronze medallion bearing Okuda's likeness, was presented
by CMA President William Campbell in honor of Toyota's $3.5-billion
contribution to California's economy, one generating employment for more than
25,000 Californians.
    Campbell amplified Governor Wilson's remarks, noting, "Not only has Toyota
made a substantial local investment in such manufacturing operations as New
United Motor Manufacturing (NUMMI) in Fremont and the TABC truck bed operation
in Long Beach, they've added to California's economic strength by generating
quality jobs through an extensive statewide parts and materials supplier
network.
    "In addition, Toyota annually provides more than $4.3 million to support
arts, educational and cultural activities in our communities."
    Okuda acknowledged the award by recalling that the first vehicles the
company sold in America were unacceptable to consumers.
    He spelled out Toyota's current North American manufacturing expansion,
noting that more than half the new Toyotas on the road are from North American
vehicle plants in California, Kentucky and Ontario, Canada.
    "We have a plant in Vancouver that makes aluminum wheels and a plant in
Missouri that makes aluminum engine blocks.  Later this year, we'll open a new
truck plant in Indiana, where our new V-8 powered T150 pickup truck will be
produced, and we'll open a new engine plant in West Virginia.
    "Soon, our North American plants will be supplying three out of four
vehicles we sell here, so we continue to become a very American manufacturer
in every sense."
    Okuda also stressed the company's commitment to advanced, environmentally-
friendly vehicles like the company's new hybrid-electric Prius.
    "The Prius is already on the market in Japan and we are thinking about
introducing it here in the United States by the end of this century," he said.
    In closing, Okuda honored NUMMI and TABC team members present at the CMA
event who build Toyota cars, trucks and parts.
    "These are the real winners of the CMA Manufacturer of the Year Award," he
said.  "I accept this award for their excellent efforts."

SOURCE  Toyota Motor Corporation