Toyota marks construction start of third Brazilian plant

Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that Toyota do Brasil Ltda. (TDB), TMC's Brazilian sales and manufacturing company, held a ceremony here today to mark the beginning of construction of TDB's third plant.

The ceremony, held at the proposed plant site, was attended by São Paulo State Governor Alberto Goldman, Sorocaba City Mayor Vitor Lippi, Japanese Ambassador to Brazil Ken Shimanouchi, General Consul of Japan in São Paulo State Kazuaki Obe, TMC Executive Vice President Atsushi Niimi, representatives from TDB, and also representatives from local suppliers, banks and dealers.

At the ceremony, Niimi expressed Toyota's aims, stating that the company appreciates the business support it has received since its first production site in Brazil—Toyota's first outside Japan—was established in 1958. He went on to emphasize Toyota's commitment to being a good corporate citizen, continuing to contribute to Brazil economically and socially by localizing vehicle production and expanding employment opportunities.

The new plant will be constructed at a cost of approximately 600 million U.S. dollars and employ approximately 1,500 people. Plans call for production of a newly developed compact car to start at the plant in the second-half of 2012, at an initial annual pace of approximately 70,000 units. Plans include production for export.

Based on its principle of contributing to local society through the manufacturing of automobiles, TMC aims to continue contributing to Brazil's automotive industry and to offer Brazilian consumers attractive products that meet their needs.