The Toyota motor manufacturing plant in Huntsville, Alabama, recently celebrated the production of its 4 millionth engine.
While the plant makes V6 and V8 engines as well, the 4 millionth engine was produced on the 4-cylinder line. Since the start of production in 2003, the Huntsville plant has built 1 million 4-cylinder engines, 1.3 million V6 engines and 1.7 million V8 engines. The engines go into seven Toyota vehicles built in North America: Camry, RAV4, Highlander, Sequoia, Tacoma, Tundra and Venza.
"This is a testament to our team members," said Jim Bolte, president of Toyota Alabama. "They are dedicated to building high-quality engines, and whether it was the first in 2003 or the 4 millionth, the same amount of detail and craftsmanship goes into each one."
The Huntsville plant, which employs approximately 1,300, has distinguished itself in the Toyota family – not just in the United States, but worldwide. For example, it is the only Toyota plant globally to produce the 4-cylinder, V6 and V8 engine under one roof, making it among the largest Toyota engine plants globally. It is also one of only two designated "model sustainable plants" in North America, which results in other Toyota facilities benchmarking for its environmental achievements.
"We look to the Alabama plant as a leader," said Osamu Ushio, executive vice president of operations and manufacturing for Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America Inc. "Every challenge it has faced, the team there exceeds any and all expectations. That is why we continue to invest so much into the facility. They have what it takes to be successful – a strong group of team members who are dedicated to quality and safety. They should be very proud of the 4-millionth milestone."
In the last 10 years, the plant has taken on five major investments and four expansions. Most recently, a project costing $230 million was completed that involved a boost to V6 production. That brings the total plant investment to $864 million since the 2001 groundbreaking.
"I can't believe we hit 4 million," said Tina Lane, Toyota Alabama team member who has been building engines on the line since the plant opened. "There is a lot of pride that goes along with it. Just think, 4 million Toyota vehicles around the world are being powered by our engines; that’s a big responsibility."
For more information, visit www.toyota.com.
