Toyota City, Japan, November 20, 2011— Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK), TMC’s vehicle manufacturing subsidiary in Kentucky, United States held a commemorative ceremony at the Keeneland Race Course in Lexington, Kentucky on November 19 (local time) to mark 25 years of operations.
Approximately 400 people, including former Kentucky Governor Martha Layne Collins, other government officials, local community members and suppliers, attended the ceremony. In his speech to mark the occasion, TMC Chairman Fujio Cho said that TMMK was created not only to do business, but also to truly become part of the community. Cho thanked local business partners, government and community members for their constant support in helping TMMK to grow, and he commented on the remarkable teamwork displayed at TMMK—even during challenging times. He closed by stating that Toyota is looking forward to another 25 years in Kentucky.
Also to mark the occasion, TMMK donated to local community groups a total of 100,000 U.S. dollars and a new Toyota “Camry Hybrid”. On the same day, TMMK employees and their families celebrated at festivities at Rupp Arena in the University of Kentucky.
TMMK, with cumulative production now exceeding 8,700,000 vehicles, was established in 1986 as TMC’s first production subsidiary in North America. In 2001, TMMK appointed its first non-Japanese president, Gary Convis, who acted to promote localized production. About 70% of North American production of the “Camry”—the best selling passenger sedan in the U.S. market for nine consecutive years—is from
TMMK.
Overview of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK)
Location: Georgetown, Kentucky
President: Wil James
Establishment: January 1986
Products:
Engines: 4 cylinder and V6
Employees: Approx. 7,600 (as of September 30, 2011)
Production capacity: 500,000 vehicles per year