Toyota is investing US$42m to expand forging activities at its plant in Sao Bernardo do Campo, Brazil. The move will allow the plant to start producing of crankshafts and con-rods for export to the US, according to Autodata.
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The investment specifically calls for an expansion of the production area by 2,000 square metres to a total of 4,400 square metres.
The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2008 and generate around 90 new jobs.
Brazil was chosen over other locations in the Europe and the US because of favourable cost comparisons and the guarantee of availability of raw materials, manufacturing technology and qualified labour, according to Toyota Brazil’s human resources director, Percival Malante.
Around 470,000 crankshafts will be produced at the plant from November 2008, and 700,000 con-rods from May 2009. They will be used in Camry and Corolla models produces in the US.
Toyota also produces crankshafts and con-rods in the US and Japan, and the Brazilian plant will use the same production system as at the other two plans.
