Toyota to Export U.S.-Assembled Venza to Russia and Ukraine

NEW YORK, Feb. 26, 2013; Toyota today announced that it will begin exporting U.S.-assembled Venza vehicles to Russia and Ukraine in 2013.  These shipments are expected to build upon Toyota's all-time record export of more than 124,000 U.S.-assembled vehicles to 21 global markets in 2012, an increase of 45 percent over the prior year.

"We are proud that Toyota's U.S. manufacturing operations are continuing to grow as a key supplier of vehicles for global markets, which is only possible thanks to the dedication and high-quality work of our team members here," said Shigeki Terashi, president and COO of Toyota Motor North America, Inc.  "We expect the export of Venza vehicles to Russia and Ukraine will help further solidify our U.S. manufacturing base."

Once production begins in April 2013, Toyota expects to export approximately 5,000 Venza vehicles to Russia and Ukraine during the first year of sales.  These vehicles will be built at the company's Georgetown, Ky. plant, which employs about 6,600 team members and represents a $6 billion investment.  The Georgetown plant is the company's largest manufacturing facility outside of Japan.

Venza exports to Russia and Ukraine will ship from Brunswick, GA.

About Toyota

Toyota established operations in the United States in 1957 and currently operates 10 manufacturing plants, including one under construction.  There are nearly 1,500 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in the U.S. which sold over 2 million vehicles in 2012. Toyota directly employs more than 30,000 in the U.S. and its investment here is currently valued at more than $18 billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of parts, materials, goods and services from U.S. suppliers totals more than $23 billion.