Released on August 21, 2009

Toyota’s Bodine Aluminum castings plants, in Troy, Mo., and Jackson, Tenn., are slated to add capacity to provide engine cylinder heads and blocks for an expansion at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama (TMMAL), Huntsville, Ala.

According to a press release issued by Toyota, the TMMAL expansion is intended to increase the automotive giant’s North American production of four-cylinder engines. The expansion will allow the plant to produce 216,000 four-cylinder engines annually, and production will begin by summer 2011. To bring the two metalcasting facilities up to speed with the expansion, Toyota will invest $25 million and add up to 60 new jobs.
 
“The four-cylinder engines to be produced in Alabama will be for the Camry and RAV4,” said Jim Wiseman, vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc. “Currently, all engines for RAV4s made at our Woodstock, Ontario, plant come from Japan, as well as engines for Camrys built at SIA in Lafayette, Ind. We’re pleased to be moving all of this production to North America.”
 
TMMAL currently builds both V8 and V6 engines. The expansion will bring its annual engine capacity to 577,000. The plant will receive at least 240 new employees and a $147 million investment.

Toyota currently operates 14 manufacturing plants and employs more than 40,000 in North America. The car maker produces 11 vehicles in North America, including the Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, RAV4, Sienna, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and Lexus RX 350.