It took Toyota 20 years and $16 billion dollars of investment to do it, but yesterday the company announced it had reached the 15 million unit mark for in North American production.

All together Toyota operates 12 vehicle manufacturing, powertrain and component facilities in North America and is adding two more plants in San Antonio, Texas and Woodstock, Ontario. Currently 10 vehicles are produced on the continent, with the Camry Hybrid and RAV4 scheduled to start production in the fall, as well.

Toyota’s full press release and a breakdown of how much each of Toyota’s five manufacturing plants contributed to the 15 million mark can be found after the jump. Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky (plant shown) produced the most with 6.39 million units made since its opening in 1986.

[Source: Toyota]Toyota Reaches 15 Million Mark in North American Production
Milestone achieved in 20 Years of Production

February 2, 2006 – Erlanger, KY - Toyota announced today it has reached the 15 million mark in North American production. This milestone marks 20 years of manufacturing in North America, supported by a $16 billion investment in North American operations.

"This is a great accomplishment for Toyota in North America," said Seiichi Sudo, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Manufacturing North America, Inc. "This milestone has been reached because of the total team effort given. Every member of the manufacturing and design team has contributed to this phenomenal growth and success. I also want to thank our suppliers, sales teams, and our loyal customers who have contributed to making Toyota one of the most popular brands in America and Lexus the most popular luxury brand."

Toyota operates 12 vehicle manufacturing, powertrain, and components facilities in North America. Toyota will continue to further its commitment to build vehicles locally with two more North American plants under construction-- in San Antonio, Texas and Woodstock, Ontario.
Toyota now manufactures 10 vehicles in North America: Avalon, Camry, Corolla, Matrix, Sequoia, Sienna, Solara, Tacoma, Tundra, and Lexus RX330. Production of the Camry Hybrid begins in the fall of 2006 in Kentucky, and the RAV4 in 2008, in Ontario.

Toyota first began conducting business in North America in 1957 and began manufacturing parts in 1972 in California. In 1986, Toyota expanded operations to manufacture vehicles in a joint venture with GM at New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc. in Fremont, California. Toyota now directly employs 27,000 jobs in manufacturing, and there are an additional 95,000 supplier jobs dedicated to Toyota business in North America.

Production of the 15 million vehicles produced in North America:
                                                             
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.     6.39 million     (opened in 1988)
New United Motor Manufacturing, Inc.           4.49 million     (1986)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada, Inc.        2.48 million     (1988)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Indiana, Inc.      1.61 million     (1999)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California  0.03 million     (2004)