Toyota will increase production of the Highlander [aka Kluger] mid-size SUV in late 2013 at its Princeton, Indiana plant including hybrid and export versions. This will add about 400 new jobs at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI).
The company will spend about US$400m making Princeton all but the global source for the Highlander which will no longer be built in Japan by late 2013. Toyota also assembles the Highlander in China for that market only. Annual production volume in Indiana is expected to increase by approximately 50,000 units at TMMI.
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The Highlander is currently sold in Russia, Australia [as the Kluger] and New Zealand and TMMI will export to those countries.
“This project allows for better utilisation of the Indiana plant and will help Toyota capitalize on the improving North American and global auto market,” said Steve St Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America. “In addition to new jobs at the Indiana plant, this project will increase opportunities and jobs for our North American supply base.”
“This project is part of our localization strategy to build vehicles where we sell them,” added TMMI president Norm Bafunno. “This announcement is a vote of confidence from Toyota Motor Corporation in the abilities of our team members and this plant.”
TMMI currently employs 4,800 and builds the Highlander, Sequoia full-size SUV and Sienna minivan.
