Four-cylinder engine production has commenced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, Inc. (TMMAL).
Toyota said that the addition of four-cylinder engine production boosts TMMAL’s employment to almost 1,000 and total investment to US$637m. Total annual engine capacity of four-cylinder, V6 and V8 engines is now more than 500,000. TMMAL is the only Toyota plant globally to produce four cylinder, V6 and V8 engines.
“Toyota has been a reliable and dedicated partner in strengthening relationships with the Alabama communities where their associates live and work,” said Alabama Governor Robert Bentley. “Now, ten years later, TMMAL has made a major economic impact in this region. TMMAL is an enduring, reliable and dedicated partner in building healthy communities in Alabama which can, in turn, strengthen our nation and our world.”
“TMMAL’s team members’ focus on quality, safety and outstanding commitment to continuous improvement and team work is second-to-none,” said Toyota Motor Corporation Executive Vice President and Representative Director, Atsushi Niimi. “Engines now produced in Huntsville will go into eight Toyota models assembled in North America, furthering our commitment to localizing production. And by adding four-cylinder engines to TMMAL’s mix, we will be better prepared to react to changes in market demand.”
TMMAL-produced four-cylinder engines will go into the all-new 2012 Camry, Highlander, RAV4, Sienna and Venza. V6 and V8 engines are being produced for the Tundra and Tacoma pick-up trucks and the Sequoia SUV.
Toyota says that the four-cylinder expansion at TMMAL now allows the facility to supply engines to every Toyota vehicle assembly plant in North America except the new facility in Blue Springs, Mississippi, which is scheduled to start production later this year.
Both of Toyota’s Bodine Aluminum castings plants, located in Troy, Mo., and Jackson, Tenn., have also added capacity to provide cylinder heads and blocks to TMMAL.