Toyota Australia is ramping up pre production of its new four cylinder engine plant, with the first trial build having just taken place.
The trial is designed to ensure all new machines are working at capacity and the engines produced meet quality standards.
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It also provides production, maintenance and logistics employees the opportunity to develop new skills relating to hybrid technology and standardise work practices before the plant goes into full production.
Chris Harrod, Toyota Australia’s executive director of manufacturing, said the trial build was an important milestone for the company.
“The success of the first trial means we are one step closer to going into full production,” he said.
“The new engine plant is an Australian first for producing both petrol and hybrid engines. In fact, it is the first simple slimline engine plant to be built outside of Japan and reaffirms our position as a leading manufacturer.
“Once we commence full production, the new plant will produce engines for our locally manufactured cars – Camry and Camry Hybrid – and open up new export markets in Thailand and Malaysia.”
Harrod said the engine plant had a unique set-up with casting, assembly and machinery all housed under the same roof to improve efficiencies.
It is located at the Altona manufacturing plant in Melbourne and has been in development since October last year. It will replace the previous engine plant built in 1978.
The plant is expected to commence volume production at the end of the year and will produce around 450 engines a day.
Thirty engines were produced during the two-week trial.
Total investment in the new plant is around A$330m and was secured by Toyota Australia with co-investment from the Victorian state government and $63mfrom the federal government’s Green Car Innovation Fund.
Toyota employs 4,200 people in Australia.
