Toyota Announces New Business Structure in Australia

Toyota City, Japan, December 3, 2014―Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Toyota Motor Corporation Australia Ltd. (TMCA), its production and sales subsidiary in Australia, announced TMCA's new business structure for 2018 onward.

TMCA will consolidate its corporate functions in Melbourne, thereby impacting the national sales and marketing operations currently located in Sydney.

Most of the Altona Plant―which will cease manufacturing by the end of 2017―will be reestablished as training and product development facilities, leveraging 50 years of accumulated knowledge and expertise to further develop Toyota people, products and services.

Toyota's decision to stop manufacturing and continue as a national sales and distribution company from 2018 was taken from a long-term point-of-view with the customer firmly in mind, to maintain a sustainable business well into the future.

Concerning the new structure, TMCA President Dave Buttner said: "We understand that it is a difficult time for many of our employees and we are committed to supporting them during the transition period. These changes will provide us with the best opportunity to have a strong and sustainable base for the next fifty years and beyond."

Furthermore, TMC Managing Officer and East Asia and Oceania Region CEO Toshiro Hidaka said: "We are deeply grateful to have had the opportunity to work with so many great people during our first 50 years in Australia and we remain committed to providing the best customer experience."