San Anonio, TX - Toyota has announced that it has chosen a 2000-acre site in San Antonio to build its sixth North American vehicle assembly plant.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas, Inc. will build approximately 150,000 Tundra full size trucks annually, beginning in 2006. Production at the San Antonio plant will supplement the Tundra production at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc. (TMMI), which is currently the exclusive manufacturer of this model.

The new plant will represent an $800 million investment by Toyota and is expected to bring approximately 2,000 new jobs to Texas and indirectly create work for many more. Operations at the plant will include stamping, body weld, plastics, paint, and assembly.

Governor Rick Perry, speaking at a news conference held at the Westin Riverwalk in San Antonio, welcomed Toyota's decision to set up operations in Texas.

"This new plant will mean jobs, paychecks and a higher standard of living for thousands of Texans while helping Texas to build a stronger, more diverse economy," said Governor Perry. "And I believe it will the beginning of a new economic boom in Texas because companies looking to prosper in the 21st century will find no better home than Texas."

Toyota Senior Vice President, Dennis Cuneo joined Governor Perry at the announcement and helped deliver the good news.

"Toyota appreciates the opportunity to do business in the state of Texas," said Cuneo.

"We know we will find workers of the highest caliber here who have the skills, the intelligence, and the enthusiasm to become an important part of the North American Toyota team. We are also excited to be a part of the San Antonio community, and we hope to contribute as a good corporate citizen."

Additionally, Cuneo recognized the contributions of the team who worked on this project.
"We would like to thank all of the organizations who have helped to bring Toyota to Texas, from the state and local officials to the private sector. This has really been a team effort and we appreciate all of your hard work. The partnership of all of these groups was instrumental to our decision, including the creation of a new rail district to provide competitive rail access for our plant."

Toyota Motor Corporation President, Fujio Cho and Governor Perry are slated to join a celebration thanking the team who helped to bring Toyota to San Antonio on Monday, Feb. 10 at the Institute of Texan Cultures in San Antonio.

Site preparation and construction for the plant is slated to begin later this year. A majority of the hiring will take place in 2005, closer to start of production.

The plant is the latest addition to Toyota's increasing manufacturing investment in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. By 2006, the automaker will have capacity to build 1.65 million cars and trucks a year, and 1.16 million engines.

Toyota currently has four vehicle assembly plants in North America. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky manufactures the Camry, Avalon, and, beginning this summer, Camry Solara. TMMI, located in Princeton Ind., builds the Tundra, Sequoia, and Sienna. New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc., a joint venture with General Motors, located in Fremont, Calif., manufactures the Toyota Corolla and Tacoma, Pontiac Vibe, and the Toyota Voltz (a right-hand drive version of the Vibe for export to Japan). Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., in Cambridge, Ontario manufactures the Toyota Corolla, Matrix, and beginning in September the Lexus RX 330.

Beginning in 2005, Toyota will begin assembly of Tacoma pick-up trucks at its new plant in Baja California, Mexico. Additionally, this plant will build Tacoma truck beds to be shipped to California for vehicle production at NUMMI.

Additionally, Toyota has three engine plants in North America. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia, Inc. and Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. both produce four-cylinder and V6 engines. Also, its plant in Ontario, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc., assembles four-cylinder engines. Later this year, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. will begin manufacturing V8 engines for the Tundra built at TMMI.

By 2006, Toyota will employ some 35,000 people throughout North America. With today's announcement, the company's direct investment tops $14 billion with annual parts and materials purchases from North American suppliers totaling over $11 billion.