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Toyota Vehicles and Plants Rank Highest In Initial Quality Study

5 May 2000

Toyota Vehicles and Plants Rank Highest In J.D. Power and Associates Initial Quality Study

    TORRANCE, Calif., May 4 The Toyota Tundra full-size pickup
truck, Land Cruiser full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV), Sienna mini van,
Avalon premium mid-size sedan, and Corolla compact sedan all ranked highest in
their respective segments in J.D. Power and Associates' Initial Quality
Study 2 (IQS2) released today.  The annual study measures vehicle owners'
reported problems during the first three months of ownership.
    "To rank highest across so many categories, truck, SUV, van and cars, is
incredible, and to receive top honors with two all-new vehicles, the Tundra
and Avalon, is a great accomplishment," said Don Esmond, Toyota Division group
vice president and general manager.  "The results are a tribute to our North
American manufacturing facilities, which swept the J.D. Power Plant Quality
Awards as well."
    Four of the five Toyota segment leaders are built at Toyota North American
manufacturing facilities, which took all three of the J.D. Power and
Associates' North American Plant Quality Awards today.
    New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., Toyota's joint venture with General
Motors in Fremont, Calif., builds the Corolla and is the recipient of the 2000
Gold Plant Quality Award.
    Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, located in Georgetown and recipient
of the Silver Plant Quality Award, produces both the Sienna and Avalon, as
well as the Camry (which finished second to Avalon in the IQS2).  The Bronze
Plant Quality Award was given to Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Canada, in
Cambridge, Ont., which builds the Corolla, Camry Solara sport coupe and
convertible.
    Tundra earned top honors in initial quality in the full-size pickup truck
segment during its very first year of eligibility and is built exclusively in
the U.S. at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, in Princeton.
    Three Lexus Division vehicles also earned top spots in IQS2, including the
LS 400 luxury sedan which was ranked the best premium luxury car and had the
fewest problems of any vehicle in the study.  The Toyota and Lexus divisions
combined give Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., eight out of the 14 IQS2
segment awards.