Toyota to Boost Indiana Production
Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM) is planning to return to normal production levels earlier than expected following the March earthquake and tsunami in Japan. The automaker says all models built at its Princeton plant will return to 100 percent production in June. Toyota also has a production line at the Subaru of Indiana Automotive Inc. facility in Lafayette. Overall North American production will reach 70 percent of normal levels, up from 30 percent this month.PRINCETON, IN. – Beginning June 6, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana will return to normal production schedules, which is earlier than expected following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
All
TMMI-built models will return to 100 percent production in June. Other
Toyota vehicles returning to 100 percent production in June are Avalon,
Camry, Corolla, Matrix and Venza. Overall North American production
will reach approximately 70 percent of normal levels, up from
approximately 30 percent in May.
The improvement in parts
availability from Japan is the result of countermeasure activities
implemented by affected suppliers. Short-term interruptions to
production still could occur because of reduced parts availability
through the summer.
“We are pleased that our vehicles will be back to full production in June,” said Kelly Dillon, manager of External Affairs at TMMI. “During the nonproduction time, we have been able take advantage of plant improvement activities, training and community volunteer work for the American Red Cross and other flood relief efforts.”
Toyota is once again the world’s most valuable auto brand, according to rankings compiled by the research company Millward Brown. Toyota’s brand value increased 11 percent to $24.2 billion in the latest Brand Z Top100 annual ranking of the world’s most valuable brands, overtaking BMW, which had moved ahead of Toyota last year. Toyota previously was the world’s most valuable auto brand from 2006 through 2009.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana began production in Princeton, Ind., in 1998. Today, TMMI employs about 4,100 team members from the Tri-State. Inside the 4-million-square-foot automotive manufacturing facility, team members produce the Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle, Sienna minivan and Highlander midsize sport utility vehicle. Toyota’s total investment in TMMI is $3.7 billion.
TMMI has paid more than $48 million in local property taxes since 1997 and donated more than $13 million since 1996 to local community organizations that support youth and education, health and human services, civic and community and arts and culture.
Source: Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana
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ERLANGER, Ky. – Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) will boost production earlier than expected following the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan. Beginning in June, overall North American production will reach approximately 70 percent of normal levels, up from approximately 30 percent in May.
The improvement in parts availability from Japan is the result of countermeasure activities implemented by affected suppliers. Toyota will continue to evaluate production model-by-model on a monthly basis, with a goal to return to fully normalized production by late this year.
Models returning to 100 percent production in June are Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna and Venza.
“Our team members and suppliers are working closely on countermeasure activities to improve the parts condition from Japan. We continue to develop solutions in order to restore 100 percent production as soon as possible for all of our North American-made vehicles,” said Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of TEMA. “We appreciate the patience of our customers and dealers.”
Source: Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America