Published: May 24, 2009
Production of Toyota 'Highlander' Begins in China
Tokyo, May 25, 2009 - (ACN Newswire) - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announces that GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (GTMC), a vehicle-production and sales joint venture between TMC and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. (Guangzhou Automobile), held a line-off ceremony today for the "Highlander" SUV, produced on GTMC's new production line at its plant in Nansha District, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
Approximately 1,400 people attended the ceremony, including officials from the Guangdong provincial government and Guangzhou municipal government, Japanese government officials, Guangzhou Automobile Chairman Zhang Fangyou, TMC Executive Vice President Takeshi Uchiyamada and GTMC President Toru Kuzuhara.
At the ceremony, TMC Executive Vice President Uchiyamada said: "For a long time now we have positioned China as an important market and have been expanding our operations here with the tremendous support of everyone from the national and local governments. TMC is looking forward to continuing to work with our business partnerGuangzhou Automobile in strengthening GTMC's foothold in the Chinese market and steadfastly increasing its operations, thereby enabling GTMC to provide even more products and services that will be welcomed by consumers in China."
The China-produced Highlanderwith a 2009 sales target of 20,000 vehicleswill be priced between 248,800 yuan and 429,800 yuan. Sales of the vehicle begin today. TMC and Guangzhou Automobile established GTMC in September 2004 as a production and sales base in GuangdongProvince, China. For GTMC, production of the Highlander marks its third vehicle series, following the Camry, which went into production in May 2006, and the Yaris, which GTMC first produced in May 2008.
Outline of GTMC (as of May 25, 2009)
Company name GAC Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (GTMC)
Representatives Yuan Zhongrong, chairman;
Akira Sasaki, vice chairman
(senior managing director, TMC)
Toru Kuzuhara, president
Production lines Line No. 1
Site area 1,110,000m2
Start of operation May 2006
Vehicles produced Camry
Production capacity 200,000 units per year
Production lines Line No. 2
Site area760,000m2
Start of operation May 2009
Vehicles produced Yaris Highlander*1
Production capacity 160,000 units per year*2
*1. At start
*2. 40,000 units per year at start
About Toyota
Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. Today, the Company manufactures vehicles and parts at 53 production sites in 27 countries and regions around the globe and is an active member in the communities it serves. In fiscal 2008, ended March 31, 2008, the Toyota Group sold approximately 8.91 million vehicles in 170 countries and regions under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino brands. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html.
Source: Toyota
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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