Toyota to Boost Annual 'Etios' Production in Brazil

São Paulo, Brazil, January 30, 2015―Toyota Motor Corporation today announced that its subsidiary Toyota do Brasil LTDA plans to increase annual "Etios" vehicle production at its Sorocaba Plant in São Paulo from 74,000 units to 108,000 units. The increase, which is scheduled to come into effect at the beginning of 2016, is aimed to meet increased demand for the vehicle series in Brazil, and will involve additional investment of around 100 million Brazilian real. Toyota will fully utilize its lean manufacturing expertise to ensure an optimal return on the investment through rigorous process innovation and highly efficient utilization of existing plant facilities.

At the time of its launch in Brazil in September 2012, Etios sales ranged between 2,000 and 3,000 units per month. Constant improvements were made to the Etios series in response to customer feedback including new seat upholstery and seat height adjusters and the lineup was further enhanced in November 2013 with the addition of the "Etios Cross" crossover vehicle. Customer convenience is also being enhanced with, for example, the planned establishment of a total of 54 new dealerships and satellite stores during the 2014 fiscal year (April 1, 2014 to March 31, 2015) to improve access to after-service. As a result of such efforts, monthly sales have now reached between 6,000 and 7,000 units.

Koji Kondo, president of Toyota do Brasil LTDA, said: "This expansion of Etios production at our Sorocaba Plant is a result of always listening carefully to customer feedback to produce ever-better cars. In that respect, I feel that the Etios series is one that has been raised and nurtured by Brazilian consumers. We will continue to carry out business with a community-based approach in the hope of contributing to Brazil's society and economy."

Steve St. Angelo, chairman of Toyota do Brasil and Toyota's CEO for Latin America and the Caribbean Region, said: "I am very proud of the good teamwork and cooperation of our Toyota Brazil Team. They build quality in every car. They take care of the customers, creating Toyota fans. Our team members, suppliers, dealers, customers and all of our partners have made my dream come true today. Congratulations on this expansion and creating much-needed Brazilian jobs."