Toyota Begins Corolla Production in Mississippi,
November 17, 2011
Toyota team members today celebrated the opening of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi (TMMMS), the company’s new $800 million plant outside of Tupelo that assembles the Corolla, the world’s best-selling car of all time. Joining the celebration were Toyota Motor Corporation President Akio Toyoda and Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour.
TMMMS is Toyota’s fourteenth North American plant, further advancing the company’s efforts to design, develop and build vehicles where they are sold. The plant has the annual capacity to produce 150,000 vehicles and will employ nearly 2,000.
Speaking at ceremony, Toyoda said, “Building vehicles where we sell them helps us be even closer to our customers. The U.S. market remains a key to Toyota’s overall success, and Toyota Mississippi will play an important role for us here.”
“Today is a great day for Blue Springs and the entire State of Mississippi,” Governor Haley Barbour said. “Toyota chose Mississippi for its dedicated, talented workforce, and I know they will enjoy great success at their newest facility. We are proud to be the home of Toyota, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with our newest corporate partner.”
“Mississippi has provided us with a great workforce who welcomes challenges and are eager to learn,” said Masafumi Hamaguchi, president of TMMMS. “Our slogan is: ‘Always look for the best way, using our pioneer spirit.’ The Mississippi workforce has shown that they have this spirit.”
Toyota’s Buffalo, W. Va., engine plant is supplying all engines for Corolla production at TMMMS. Cylinder heads and blocks for those engines are produced at both of Toyota’s Bodine Aluminum castings plants, located in Troy, Mo., and Jackson, Tenn.
When Toyota announced the Blue Springs project, they also announced a partnership with the CREATE Foundation and a donation of $50 million – $5 million a year for 10 years – was also announced toward an innovative addition to the public school system in the Pontotoc, Union, and Lee counties. The Center for Professional Futures will be an education facility that will expose students in the eight school districts in the PUL Alliance counties in to professional careers through high performance teaching and a modern learning environment.
Location……………..Blue Springs, Miss.
Product………………Toyota Corolla
Production capacity..150,000 vehicles/year
Site area…………….1,700 acres
Employment………….Nearly 2,000
Investment………….$800 million
Toyota and Tesla Announce Decision to Build RAV4 Electric Vehicle at Toyota’s Woodstock, Ontario Production Facility
Woodstock, Ontario – August 5, 2011
Shared Line with Gas-Powered RAV4 to Maximize Production Efficiencies and Quality Control. Tesla to Ship Electric Powertrains from California
Toyota and Tesla Motors, Inc. (Tesla) confirmed today that their jointly-developed RAV4 electric vehicle will be built at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc. (TMMC) in Woodstock, Ontario beginning in 2012.
“The Tesla-Toyota joint development team has agreed that building the vehicle at the Woodstock plant on the same line as the gasoline-powered RAV4, will streamline and simplify the production process and guarantee the highest level of quality control,” said Ray Tanguay, TMMC Chairman, who hosted Canadian officials at the plant today and thanked them for their support. “This is a great example of Toyota’s determination to collaborate with companies with leading edge technology.”
As previously announced, Toyota will pay Tesla approximately $100 million to supply the electric powertrain, which includes the battery, motor, gear box and power electronics for the RAV4 EV. Tesla will build the electric powertrains at its production facility in Palo Alto, California and then ship them to TMMC for final assembly into the vehicle.
The RAV4 EV will be sold at U.S. Toyota dealers through Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS). Details including pricing, volume and regional distribution will be determined and announced at a later time.
In July of last year, Tesla and Toyota Engineering and Manufacturing, America (TEMA) collaborated to convert 32 conventional gas-engine RAV4 compact SUVs into fully functional RAV4 EV prototypes.
Toyota is committed to a broad strategy of sustainable mobility, incorporating products, partnerships, the urban environment, and energy. The RAV4 EV is one of several advanced-technology new products coming for Toyota. In addition to expanding the Prius family with the upcoming Prius v and Prius Plug-in Hybrid, Toyota will introduce an electric version of the Scion iQ in 2012 and a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Hybrid Vehicle by 2015.
Toyota Selects Leviton as an Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment Provider
Torrance, Calif., – August 10, 2011
Leviton’s Charging Solution Will Support Prius Plug-in and RAV4 EV
Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) today announced that Leviton has been selected as an approved Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) provider for Toyota customers and dealers.
“Leviton provides electric vehicle charging products and a high level of customer service that will benefit both Toyota customers and dealers when the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicles and next generation RAV4 EV come to market in 2012,” said Rick LoFaso, TMS corporate manager, marketing for passenger cars.
Toyota is the only manufacturer bringing two battery electric vehicles to the U.S. in 2012 – the RAV4 EV and the Scion iQ EV. While the RAV4 EV will be available to the public, the Scion iQ EV will be utilized for demonstration program applications only. Toyota also will bring to market in 2012 the Prius Plug-in Hybrid vehicle, which combines an extended all-electric range for shorter commutes with a conventional hybrid synergy drive for longer trips.
Leviton’s support includes program management of a certified installation team and an extensive customer service center. Levitonoffers a variety of electrical vehicle supply equipment products for commercial and residential use that will offer Toyota dealers and customers an assortment of charging solutions to fit their needs
Leviton Manufacturing Company is a provider of electrical wiring devices, data center connectivity solutions and lighting energy management systems. Founded in America, Leviton’s product portfolio consists of more than 25,000 devices and systems used in homes, businesses and industry.
Toyota Agrees to Ambitious New Fuel Economy Standards
July 29, 2011
Statement on new U.S. Fuel Economy Standards to be attributed to
JAMES LENTZ, PRESIDENT & COO, TOYOTA MOTOR SALES, USA, INC.: “I am pleased to be in Washington today to demonstrate Toyota’s unyielding commitment to this important process. The long-term objectives of this program are very ambitious, and we intend to meet the challenge. “Toyota has embarked on the most aggressive expansion of hybrid, electric and hydrogen fuel cell cars of any automaker, and we are committed to continuing our demonstrated environmental leadership. “We share the Administration’s goal of achieving major advances in clean, fuel efficient vehicles. Obviously, there is still a great deal of uncertainty as to how the market will respond and what vehicle technologies consumers will embrace, which is why we are rolling out and testing a range of alternative fuel options. As the rule-making process moves forward, we look forward to working closely and constructively with the Administration and other stakeholders to ensure that we realize our shared environmental goals in the most economically-effective and consumer-friendly ways possible.”