Video: Toyota Launches Highlander Production In Indiana

SUV is Toyota's 12th North American-built model

PRINCETON, Ind., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Production of the Highlander
sport utility vehicle, Toyota's 12th North American-built model, began today
at the company's plant in Princeton, Indiana. The $450 million investment is
part of the adjustments Toyota began last year in order to better utilize
manufacturing capacity.

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http://www.prnewswire.com/mnr/toyota/40249/

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20091008/NY89179 )

Production of the Tundra pickup, originally in Indiana, was consolidated last
fall in the Tundra plant in Texas. Since then Toyota Motor Manufacturing,
Indiana (TMMI), which also builds the Sienna and Sequoia, has been preparing
for the Highlander.

"Highlander production gives us better use of our capacity and demonstrates
our continued commitment to the U.S. and the state of Indiana," said Wil
James, TMMI senior vice president.

TMMI reacted to several months of slow production by retaining all of its
4,200 team members, who were further trained and improved manufacturing
processes.

"The result is long-term sustainability of this factory, which is important to
our customers, team members, suppliers and the local community," James said.

TMMI now represents a $3.7 billion investment. The addition of Highlander
boosts production at other Toyota plants such as West Virginia, where the
6-cylinder engine is made, and at nearly 250 of Toyota's North American
suppliers.

In Indiana alone, Highlander parts and components including items such as
steel, brake parts and interior component assemblies will be provided by about
30 Tier 1 suppliers.

Since it was introduced in 2001, more than 1 million Highlanders have been
sold in the U.S. The Highlander is available in Base, Sport and Limited grades
in both two-wheel and full-time four-wheel-drive models. Features include:
hill assist, Smart Key, flexible second row seating and a separate glass
hatch.

About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and
currently operates 14 manufacturing plants. There are more than 1,800 Toyota,
Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more than 2.5 million
vehicles in 2008. Toyota directly employs nearly 41,000 in North America and
its investment here is currently valued at more than $23 billion, including
sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial
services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and
services from North American suppliers totals nearly $25 billion.

Toyota currently produces 12 vehicles in North America, including the Avalon,
Camry, Corolla, Highlander, Matrix, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra,
Venza and the Lexus RX 350.

For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyota.com or
www.toyotanewsroom.com.

SOURCE Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

Mike Goss of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America,
+1-859-746-6676, +1-859-803-1698 (cell), mike.goss@tema.toyota.com, or Kelly
Dillon of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana, +1-812-387-2128, +1-812-779-8268
(cell), Kelly.dillon@tema.toyota.com