Toyota to produce Camry Hybrid in Thailand
TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that, as part of an effort to further popularize hybrid vehicles worldwide, it will begin producing the "Camry Hybrid" at Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. (TMT), TMC's vehicle production base in Thailand.
Production of the Camry Hybrid at TMT's Gateway Plant will commence in 2009, with an annual production target of 9,000 vehicles.
"Thailand is the first ASEAN country to build hybrid vehicles. As the Camry has received a warm welcome from Thai customers, we are sure these customers will be satisfied not only with the product but also with its environmental performance", said TMT President Mitsuhiro Sonoda at a joint press conference in Bangkok with Siam Toyota Manufacturing Co., Ltd., attended by Thai government officials.
Ever since the introduction in 1997 of the Toyota Prius—the world's first mass-produced gasoline-electric hybrid vehicle—TMC has actively been promoting and popularizing hybrid technology, as part of its high-priority environmental management policy.
Toyota aims to sell 1 million or more hybrid vehicles annually as early as possible in the 2010s and is working to establish a worldwide optimal hybrid vehicle production system that reflects market needs.
Outline of TMT
| Company name | Toyota Motor Thailand Co., Ltd. (TMT) | ||
| Established | 1962 | ||
| President | Mitsuhiro Sonoda | ||
| Equity participation | TMC: 86.4% The Siam Cement Public Company Ltd.: 10.0%others: 3.6% | ||
| Plant name | Samrong Plant(including Thai AutoWorks Co., Ltd.) | Gateway Plant | Ban Pho Plant |
| Location | Samutprakarn Province(approx. 15km south ofBangkok) | ChachoengsaoProvince (approx.110km southeast ofBangkok) | ChachoengsaoProvince (approx.65km southeast ofBangkok) |
| Start of production | 1964 | 1996 | 2007 |
| Annual production capacity | 250,000 units | 200,000 units | 100,000 units |
| Products | Hilux, Fortuner | Camry, Corolla,Soluna Vios, Wish,Yaris | Hilux |
| 2007 production results | 502,000 units (including CKD production) | ||
| Number of employees | 14,000 (as of May 2008) | ||