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Copyright ©2003 PCDA
January
26, 2001 - "The Lexus Division has modified the slogan for
its 2001 luxury line, to: "The Passionate Pursuit of Perfection."
"I believe this slogan also describes the spirit of the team members
at TMMWV and the people of West Virginia." With those words, Mr. Toshiaki
"Tag" Taguchi, President and CEO, Toyota Motor North America, (photo,
right) announced Toyota's choice of Putnam County as the first plant "outside
of Japan to build engines and transmissions for theLexus." Production
is expected to start in 2003 for the drive train for the RX300 sport utility
vehicle - the number one selling Lexus model in North America.
"What better way to begin the new year than hearing the announcement that Toyota is expanding again in Putnam County," that is the sentiment of Gary Walton, Executive Director of the Putnam County Development Authority, at today's press conference at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia Buffalo plant.
West Virginia's Senator Jay Rockefeller and Governor Bob Wise joined Toyota Motor North America President Tag Taguchi, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, West Virginia President & CEO Tomoya Toriumi, General Manager Administration David Copenhaver and local officials to hear the announcement that Toyota plans to invest another $ 50 million in its Buffalo facility to produce engines and transmissions for the luxury Lexus RX300 sport utility vehicle. (For more Photos, click on links below)
Toyota's Buffalo plant will employ more than 1,000 people when the latest expansion is complete. Over 700 people currently work at the plant in Northern Putnam County.
Last night (Thursday), Governor Wise hosted a dinner at the Governor's Mansion honoring Toyota in anticipation of today's announcement at the Buffalo facility. At the dinner, Toyota officials praised West Virginia's workforce citing the quality as a major factor in Toyota's continuing expansion at Buffalo.
PCDA Executive Director, Gary Walton, said "...the last two expansions - the automatic transmission plant, still under construction, and today's announcement - reflects on the quality of our workforce. There is only one place in the world - outside Japan - where automatic transmissions will be built, and only one place in the world - outside Japan - where Lexus engines will be maunfactured...Buffalo. To me, that proves Toyota's faith in Putnam County, West Virginia."
More Photos (Senatory Jay Rockefeller and Mr. Tomoya Toriumi)
More Photos (Governor Bob Wise and David Copenhaver)
More Photos (group photo and Withrow & Toriumi)
For additional information, please contact: Gary S. Walton,
CED, Executive Director, Putnam County Development Authority, Inc. pcda@pcda.org