Toyota to Begin Producing New Corolla in Tianjin FAW Toyota's ...

(via ACN Newswire) - Tokyo, Japan, May 28, 2007 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced that Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (TFTM), a joint venture established by TMC and China FAW Group Corporation (FAW) for the production of passenger vehicles, started production of the new Corolla today at TFTM's Plant No. 3, in the Tianjin Economic and Technological Development Zone in Tianjin, China.

Approximately 630 people attended a line-off ceremony held today at the plant, including FAW President Zhu Yanfeng, TMC President Katsuaki Watanabe, TFTM President Shozo Takemoto and Deputy President Han Xinliang, Tianjin City officials, Japanese government officials and representatives of suppliers and dealers.

At the ceremony, Watanabe said, "The TFTM Plant No. 3 reflects the steady development of the joint venture between FAW and TMC. Furthermore, the new Corolla represents a new level of product appeal, and I hope that it will be well received by Chinese customers."

TFTM Plant No. 3 has an annual production capacity of 200,000 vehicles and has been equipped with numerous cutting-edge facilities, such as a paint shop that utilizes water-based paints and a welding process that adopts the Global New Body Line (GBL) system. High quality manufacturing at the plant is thus combined with environmental consideration. Approximately 3.6 billion Chinese yuan was invested in constructing the plant, which has created close to 1,700 new jobs. The new Corolla produced there will be sold by roughly 260 TFTM dealers throughout China.

TFTM began production of the VIOS compact sedan in October 2002 at Plant No. 1 and has followed this with the Corolla, Crown and REIZ, for a total of four production models. Now, with the start of production of the new Corolla-the fifth production model-Plant No. 3, TFTM's total production capacity has increased to 420,000 vehicles a year.

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http://www.toyota.co.jp/en/news/07/0528.html

About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), established in 1937, is one of the world's representative automobile manufacturers, producing vehicles in 26 countries and regions and marketing vehicles in more than 170 countries and regions. In fiscal 2006, Toyota provided nearly eight million vehicles on a consolidated basis to customers around the world under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu and Hino brands. Toyota had more than 280,000 employees at the end of fiscal 2006. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html.

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

Contact: Toyota Motor Corporation Corporate Communications Department Public Affairs Division Tel: +81-3-3817-9150 URL: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en /

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About Toyota Motor Corporation

Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203/NYSE: TM) was established in 1937 and is one of the world's biggest automakers operating worldwide. The company operates a joint venture with General Motors in California. Toyota enjoys a strong 40%-plus domestic market share (excluding minicars). Boasts highly efficient production thru lean production system.

Source: [url=http://www.acnnewswire.net/press/en/36784/Toyota-Motor-Corporation.html]Asia Corporate News Network[/url]