Toyota Announces its Best Sales Year in its 46 Year History, Breaks Sales Records For Eighth Year in a Row

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported year-end total sales of 1,866,314 vehicles, up 6.3 percent over last year and the company’s best sales performance in its 46-year history. Camry became the best-selling car in America for the second year in a row and sixth time in the past seven years, while the Lexus Division retained its crown as the best-selling luxury brand in America for the fourth consecutive year. The 2003 year-end total also marks the 14th consecutive year that Toyota sold more than one million cars and trucks.

Toyota Team Member Thinks Safety First

In the serial westerns of old, it was always a cowboy – Gene Autry, Tom Mix or Hopalong Cassidy – who saved the day. Fittingly, then, that the team member at Toyota’s Georgetown plant who’s working to create a safer work place is a guy named Tex Rose.

Toyota Hits Record North American Production in 2003

Toyota announced today that the company produced 1,278,359 vehicles and 1,112,074 engines at its North America manufacturing facilities in 2003. Both were record levels for Toyota, which began North American production in 1985 and has steadily expended operations ever since.

Chinese Dealership Representatives Visit TMMK

TMMK often gets visitors from far away, but not often do we get visitors all the way from China. On Jan. 29, TMMK hosted a dozen representatives of Chinese Toyota dealerships, who toured the plant and met with TMMK management to learn about the manufacturing side of Toyota.

Toyota Reveals Solara Convertible & Next-Generation Tacoma X-Runner at 2004 Chicago Auto Show

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., unveiled the all-new 2005 Tacoma X-Runner pickup truck and 2004 Camry Solara Convertible models at a press conference Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2004 at the Chicago Auto Show. The 2004 Solara Convertible will go on sale in March and will join the all-new second generation Solara Coupe, which launched last summer.

Avalon Among Toyotas Named "Best Value"

Intellichoice, a company that develops and distributes auto ownership data, announced its 2004 BOVY (Best Overall Values of the Year) Awards at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this month.

Mass Production of the Solara Convertible Begins at Toyota's Georgetown Plant

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) celebrated the launch of production of the 2004 Solara Convertible today. The 2004 Solara Convertible will go on sale in March and will join the all-new second generation Solara Coupe, which launched last summer. The convertible was officially introduced to the public earlier this month at the Chicago Auto Show.

TMMK Honors Its Top Volunteers

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) honored five of its team members Saturday, February 28, 2004 during the company’s Volunteers In Place (VIP) Recognition Dinner at the Lafayette Club in Lexington, Kentucky. The VIP program was developed in 1994 to encourage and recognize team member volunteer work while supporting TMMK's operating principle and firm commitment to be a good corporate citizen. Through the years, Toyota's program has become an important volunteer network to respond to needs in the communities where TMMK team members live. About 800 team members took part in the VIP program in 2003 donating almost 25,000 man-hours to various communities.

TMMK Names Six Team Members To The YMCA Adult Black/Hispanic Achiever Program

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) selected six of its team members to serve as mentors and volunteer leaders in the YMCA Adult Black/Hispanic Achiever Program. The purpose of the program is to help students plan for their future by exposing them to a variety of career, educational and social experiences which will enable them to make well-informed decisions in the future.

Toyota's Solara is Selected as the Pace Car for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach

A Georgetown-built Solara coupe will serve as the official pace car for the Toyota Grand Prix of Long Beach on April 16-18, 2004. The 30th Anniversary race weekend also features the 28th annual Toyota Pro/Celebrity Race and the opening round of the Toyota Atlantic Championship Series.

TMMK Selects Three Lexington Agencies for National Volunteer Day

In recognition of National Volunteer Day, 75 team members from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) will spend Wednesday, April 21, 2004 working as volunteers for Baby Health Services, ARC of the Bluegrass, and the YWCA. All three Lexington agencies were selected as part of Toyota’s 7th Annual Volunteer Day activities.

Toyota Receives Environmental Award on Earth Day

The Kentucky Environmental Quality Commission honored TMMK, TMMNA and its team members on Earth Day for actions they have taken to protect the Commonwealth’s environment. The awards ceremony was held in the Governor’s Mansion in Frankfort, and Gov. Ernie Fletcher briefly thanked the award winners for their support of environmental initiatives.

Toyota's Georgetown Plant Honors Eleven Suppliers

Eight Kentucky parts and service suppliers were given a distinguished honor from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) during the TMMK Annual Purchasing Policy Meeting and Awards Ceremony in Lexington.

Camry Leads Toyota Passenger Vehicle Sales

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported its eighth consecutive best-ever April sales of 167,129, vehicles, an increase of 10.1 percent over April 2003. Toyota Division passenger cars recorded best-ever April sales of 76,515, units, an increase of 3.6 percent. Camry led passenger cars with sales of 34,467 units, up 5.1 percent over last April. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted best-ever April sales with 3,684 units, up 152.8 percent. Sales of the MR2 Spyder mid-engine sports car were up 13.0 percent.

Toyota Announces Dates for Eigth Annual Women's Conference

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK), announced plans for the 2004 In the Interest of Women: A Forum for the Women of Kentucky. The annual conference will be held in Lexington at the Lexington Center on October 19 and in Louisville at the Galt House East on October 20.

Toyota's Georgetown Plant Gives Away Fifteen New Vehicles to Perfect Attendance Achievers

Fifteen team members from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) are now driving brand new Toyotas after having their names drawn during the company’s 14th Annual Perfect Attendance Ceremony this past Saturday, May 15, 2004 in Lexington’s Rupp Arena. Prior to announcing the 15 vehicle recipients, team members and their companions were treated to performances from country music stars Brooks and Dunn, Lexington’s own “Exile” and stand-up comedian and impressionist Fred Travalena. Twenty team members were also given $500 each during random drawings.

TMMK is Named Kentucky's Best Corporate Citizen

Kentucky Monthly Magazine named Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. as Kentucky's Best Corporate Citizen. The announcement came as part of the magazine's 2004 edition of Kentucky's Best, which included 37 different categories. The winners were selected by Kentucky Monthly readers in a poll taken from January and mid-April.

Toyota Announces Best-Ever Sales Month in 47 Years of Business in the U.S.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported its best-ever sales month in 47 years of business in the U.S. with May sales of 202,420, an increase of 12.6 percent. The record-setting month marks the second time Toyota has recorded at least 200,000 sales in a single month, topping the previous high set in August 2003. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales stand at 834,270, up 11.6 percent over the same period last year. Camry, the number-one-selling car in America, led the charge with strong May sales of 45,375, up 7.7 percent.

Bikers Raise Record Amount for the Kentucky-Southeast Indiana Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society

The 2004 Toyota MS 150 Bike the Bluegrass (June 5-6) attracted 320 participants including 39 team members from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK). The annual fundraising event not only raises money for multiple sclerosis research and local programs, but also increases awareness of MS symptoms and the important new treatments now available.

Toyota Announces Best-Ever June Sales: Sets Second-Quarter and First-Half Sales Records

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported its best-ever first-half sales in 47 years of business in the U.S. with calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales of 1,004,636. June sales of 170,366, an increase of 5.2 percent over last June, contributed to a record-setting second quarter with sales of 539,915 units. Camry, the number-one-selling car in America, led sales with strong June sales of 37,603, up 6.8 percent. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted best-ever June sales of 4,219. Sales of the MR2 Spyder convertible were up 7.4 percent.

TMMK Dedicates A Team Member Memorial

Under a sunny Sunday sky, about 200 people gathered July 11 for the dedication of TMMK's Team Member Memorial. The memorial and the dedication service, organized by TMMK's OutReach department, paid tribute to team members who died while they were employed at the plant.

Toyota Announces Best-Ever July Sales: Achieves 200K Sales for Third Time in Past 12 Months

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported its best-ever July sales of 200,206, an increase of 13.7 percent over last July. Calendar-year-to-date sales stand at 1,204,842, up 11.1 percent over the same period last year. Toyota Division passenger cars recorded best-ever July sales with 96,799 units sold, up 18.9 percent over the same period last year. Camry, the number-one selling car in America, led sales with strong July sales of 41,459, up 9.4 percent. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted best-ever July sales of 5,230, an increase of 666.6 percent.

TMMK Team Members Get a Close-Up View of a Toyota Motorsports Solara Pace Car

The 2004 Toyota Solara Pace Car is on display this week at Toyota’s Georgetown plant for viewing by TMMK’s 7,000-member workforce. The pace car is one of four used by Toyota Motorsports at racing venues throughout the United States. The cars debuted at the season-opening Toyota Indy 300 IndyCar Series race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in February.

Toyota to Host ENERGY STAR® Meeting

Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America (TMMNA) will host the ENERGY STAR® third annual Transportation Sector focus group meeting at its Georgetown, Kentucky manufacturing plant this week. ENERGY STAR, the most recognized label in America, appears on consumer products and buildings, indicating better energy efficiency than 75% of similar products or buildings. The program is sponsored by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce unnecessary energy use and fight global warming by reducing CO2 emissions.

Gilbert Replaces Spacek as Keynote Speaker at Eighth Annual In the Interest of Women Conference

Actress, Director, and Screen Actors Guild President Melissa Gilbert, best known for her role as Laura Ingalls on television’s "Little House on the Prairie", will replace Sissy Spacek as keynote speaker for the annual In the Interest of Women conference in Lexington on October 19 and Louisville 20. The change was announced by Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) today. Spacek was forced to cancel her appearance due to a conflict with production scheduling.

TMMK Demonstrates Environmental Intitiatives at the Kentucky State Fair

The Kentucky State Fair will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year with events scheduled from August 19 – 29 at the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center in Louisville. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) will sponsor an exhibit at the fair for the 15th consecutive year. The theme for this year's Toyota exhibit is "Kentucky Driven," which will feature TMMK's commitment to Kentucky as the "driving force" behind its philanthropy, diversity, business, community, educational and environmental support and growth.

TMMK's Web Site Gives Users A New Virtual Plant Experience

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) has offered public tours since 1990, but if you are unable to attend in person, the company's web site has the answer. The latest enhancement to the Virtual Tour on the TMMK web site includes several video clips with two tour guides taking you through Toyota's Georgetown, Kentucky plant, the company's largest plant in North America.

Toyota Team Members Set New Records During Race For The Cure

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) team members and their families made a big impact during the recent Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation Race for the Cure. The TMMK team totaled 452 participants, and the donations totaled $9,124. Both team figures were the largest ever in the history of the Lexington Race for the Cure, which started in 1995.

Toyota Expands Alabama Plant

Alabama Governor Bob Riley joined community leaders from Huntsville and executives from Toyota today to announce another expansion of Toyota's engine plant located in Huntsville. "This is the second major expansion of the Toyota plant in the past 14 months and is yet another sign that Alabama's economy is on the right track," Governor Riley said. "The fact that Toyota has essentially doubled its presence in Alabama shows not only that this is a truly successful company with a great team of workers, but that it also has a lot of confidence in the economy of our state." 

Toyota Georgetown Team Members Volunteer at Natural Bridge State Resort

About 100 team members from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (TMMK) will participate in volunteer activities this Saturday, October 2, 2004 at Natural Bridge State Resort as part of National Public Lands Day. NPLD is the nation’s largest hands-on volunteer effort to improve and enhance the public lands Americans enjoy. Last year nearly 80,000 volunteers built trails and bridges, planted trees and plants, and removed trash and invasive plants. Of those 80,000, nearly 2,200 were Toyota team members who volunteered in 26 different locations.

Bernard Shaw to Speak at Toyota's 15th Annual Opportunity Exchange

Bernard Shaw, former anchor of CNN, will serve as keynote speaker during Opportunity Exchange 2004, a minority business conference and trade fair hosted by Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TMMNA). The event will be held Thursday, November 4 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm at the Cinergy Center (formerly known as the Cincinnati Convention Center). Toyota's Opportunity Exchange, now in its 15th year, is a forum designed to provide minority business enterprises (MBEs) across the nation the chance to network and develop relationships with over 250 of Toyota’s suppliers. Toyota's Tier I suppliers, those who supply parts directly to Toyota, attend the event as exhibitors for the purpose of doing more business with minority-owned companies. Toyota expects more than 700 MBEs to attend this year’s event.

Toyota Achieves Record October Sales

Toyota Motor Sales ( TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported record October sales of 170,815, an increase of 13.0 percent over last October. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 1,717,844, an increase of 9.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division passenger cars registered best-ever October sales of 83,942, up 24.5 percent from October of last year. Sales were led by America’s best-selling passenger car, Camry, with an October best-ever 35,887 units sold, an increase of 7.2 percent. Corolla registered its best-ever October with 27,855 units sold, an increase of 23.2 percent. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted its best-ever overall sales month of 6,123, up 49.9 percent from last October. The former Prius sales record, set in November 2003, was surpassed by 9.6 percent.

Toyota Honored During National Philanthropy Day Celebration

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) and one of its team members were among 22 companies and distinguished people named as 2004 Outstanding Community Honorees during the 17th Annual National Philanthropy Day Celebration held in Lexington, Ky. National Philanthropy Day is sponsored by the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) and celebrates those who have made a significant contribution of time and resources to nonprofit agencies and therefore richly enhance the quality of life in our communities.

TMMK ISO 14001 Audit Helps Improve Environmental Policy

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) has been recommended to receive ISO 14001 recertification following an audit October 26-28. The audit ensures that the company is complying with the voluntary environmental management standards set forth by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). TMMK received its original ISO 14001 certification in November 1998. Certification applies for a three-year period, at the conclusion of which, the organization is reviewed for recertification. Bi-annual (surveillance) audits are conducted in the years in between an organization’s recertification audits.

Toyota Reports Record November Sales

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today reported best-ever November sales of 154,272, an increase of 8.8 percent over last year. Calendar-year-to-date (CYTD) sales total 1,872,116, an increase of 9.3 percent compared to the same period last year. Toyota Division passenger cars led the way with record November sales of 73,434, an increase of 22.5 from last year. Camry, America’s best-selling passenger car, led with 30,747 units sold, an increase of 9.3 percent. Corolla registered record November sales of 24,709 units, an increase of 24.0 percent from a year ago. The Prius gas-electric hybrid mid-size sedan posted its best-ever November sales of 5,866, up 9.4 percent.

TMMK Issues its 17th Annual In-Lieu-Of-Tax Payment to Scott County Schools

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) presented a check for $1,208,729.00 to Scott County Schools, representing TMMK's seventeenth annual in-lieu-of-tax payment to the school system. TMMK financed portions of the original automobile manufacturing plant, the Powertrain facility, and the expanded manufacturing facility through Industrial Revenue Bonds. Since property financed through bonds is exempt from property taxation, the school system would usually not receive its share of property taxes on the financial property until the bonds mature in 2008.

Toyota Georgetown Helps Train Teachers

Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) hosted the initial training session for the What’s Up In Factories program on Friday, December 3, 2004. What’s Up In Factories was launched in 1994 and includes a curriculum package designed to educate and introduce middle school and high school students to the new world of manufacturing and its many job opportunities.

Toyota Debuts All-New Third Generation Avalon Sedan and Crossover Concept Vehicle at 2005 North American International Auto Show

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. will stage the world premier of the all-new 2005 Avalon full-size sedan at a press conference at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In addition to the Avalon, Toyota will unveil an all-new crossover concept. The completely restyled and reengineered Toyota Avalon will feature significantly improved performance and a more luxurious interior as well as a new level of comfort and refinement when it goes on sale next year. The Avalon is built exclusively at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) in Georgetown, Ky.