At the Chicago Auto Show, Toyota announced that it has begun exporting U.S.-assembled Highlander SUVs to Australia, New Zealand and the former Soviet republics of Russia, Ukraine and Kazakhstan. The Japanese carmaker estimates Highlander exports to be of approximately 29,000 units annually.
The Highlander SUVs will be produced at Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Princeton, Indiana, which has benefitted from a $4.2 billion investment and currently employs about 4,500 people. The company plans to hire an additional 200 workers by year-end to help meet demand. The Princeton plant also produces the Sequoia full-size SUV and Sienna minivan.
Toyota says the new shipments allow for better utilization of the Indiana plant and help capitalize on the improving North American and global auto market. In addition to the new jobs, the project increases opportunities and jobs for Toyota’s North American supply base.
Toyota began exporting U.S.-assembled vehicles in 1988, and now exports U.S.-assembled vehicles to 32 countries around the world. These exports increased in 2013 to more than 130,000 units – a 5 percent increase from 2012 and an all-time high for Toyota.
Highlander exports began in late December. Exports to Australia and New Zealand are being shipped from Baltimore, Maryland, while exports to Eastern Europe are being shipped from Brunswick, Georgia.
“The export of Highlander SUVs to Australia, New Zealand and Eastern Europe helps maintain Toyota’s strong, stable base of U.S. jobs, and is the result of the great work of our talented U.S. team members and our extensive investments across North America,” said Bob Carter, Toyota Motor Sales U.S.A. Senior Vice President.
By Dan Mihalascu
PHOTO GALLERY
