Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky, Inc. (TMMK) is an automobile manufacturing factory in Georgetown, Kentucky, USA. It is part of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA), owned by Toyota Motor Corporation of Japan.

Originally known as Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA, TMMK was established in 1986 (the first wholly owned Toyota manufacturing plant in the U.S.) and is Toyota's largest manufacturing facility outside Japan. It began production in May 1988,[1] building the 1989 model 4-cylinder Camry. In the beginning, the engines were shipped from the Toyota Kamigo plant in Toyota City, Japan; however, an on-site engine plant was added in 1990. It presently builds the Avalon sedan, Camry sedan, and Venza crossover. It previously produced the Sienna minivan and Camry Solara coupe and convertible. The factory also produces 4-cylinder and V6 engines and powertrain parts with an annual capacity of 500,000 vehicles and 600,000 engines.

In addition to TMMK, Toyota added Camry production at Subaru of Indiana Automotive, Inc. in 2007 to keep up with demand for the new Camry and increase production capacity of the Camry Hybrid prior to the decline in the automotive industry in the U.S. On 13 November 2013, Toyota announced it will end the contract with Subaru of Indiana Automotive in 2016.[2]

Harbour Consulting rated it as the eighth most efficient auto plant in North America in 2006.[3]

TMMK began the production of the Lexus ES sedan beginning in October 2015, adding 50,000 vehicles annually and 750 jobs to the facility. Toyota will invest $360 million to accommodate the additional work.[4] Lexus was founded in the United States, so it is only fitting that we are bringing the production of luxury sedans for our U.S. customers back to where the brand was born," said Akio Toyoda, president of Toyota Motor Corporation. "It is also fitting that we chose Kentucky because it was Toyota's first stand-alone plant in America. So in a way, for manufacturing, Kentucky is Toyota's home. It also has some of the most-experienced Toyota team members in the world."[5] Daniel Lowry, a spokesperson for the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development, gave credit to the high quality of Kentucky's workforce, saying Lexus wanted its best people involved in the first U.S. expansion of the brand's manufacturing.[5]

The best selling car in the United States, the Toyota Camry, is manufactured in Georgetown, Kentucky.

Environmental traits

The TMMK Visitor's Center

TMMK was designated as a "zero landfill facility" in 2005.[6] The designation means that all of the waste produced on-site is either recycled or reused and nothing is sent to landfills. Waste is composted, totalling three tons per day with excess capacity enough that the manufacturing headquarters of TEMA, about an hour's drive to the north in Erlanger, Kentucky, can send their waste down for compost.

The grounds also sports a very large vegetable garden. In 2005, the produce produced at TMMK helped a nearby charitable organization, God's Pantry, distribute 2.5 million pounds (1100 t) of produce, exceeding its yearly goal by 2 million pounds (930 t).[6] The garden also produces a full crop of pumpkins used at the Toyota Child Development Center for carving at Halloween, and corn which enhances the compost pile.

Vehicles

Model years:

Former Vehicles produced

Engines

See also

References

  1. Axelrod, Karen; Brumberg, Bruce. "Toyota Factory Tour in Georgetown, KY". Retrieved 4 August 2010.
  2. Colombo, Hayleigh (14 November 2013). "Toyota pulling Camry from Subaru's Indiana plant". USA Today. Retrieved 25 January 2014.
  3. Valcourt, Josee (2 June 2006). "Efficient auto factories aren't spared the ax". Detroit News. Archived from the original on June 2006. Retrieved 20 April 2013.
  4. Kesslernov, Aaron M. (12 November 2015). "With a Hush, an American Lexus Plant Goes to Work". The New York Times. Retrieved 28 August 2016.
  5. 1 2 Milano, Matt (25 April 2013). "Toyota's Expansion Plans for Georgetown Plant Represents Good News For Kentucky". SurfKY.com. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  6. 1 2 Martin, Tom (2 June 2006). "Toyota produces motors, 'maters.". Lexington Herald-Leader.
  7. Truman, Cheryl (19 October 2015). "Georgetown Toyota plant debuts new Lexus line with 3,000 employees, Kentucky officials". Lexington Herald-Leader. Retrieved 29 October 2015.

Coordinates: 38°15′35″N 84°32′12″W / 38.25975°N 84.53671°W / 38.25975; -84.53671

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