Toyota plant celebrates anniversary with $ 100 K donation to Kentucky organizations and debuts renovated Visitor Center

Age is only a number and Toyota plant is celebrating its 30^th anniversary. It all started with an announcement in December 1985 when Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, TMC President, declared a date for Kentucky Plant pioneering ceremony in 1986.

Now it is a busy plant employing 8,000 people, with buildings covering 169 football fields, and it represents a growing investment of $6 billion.

Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda announced in Scott County, Ky. the first wholly-owned vehicle plant in the U.S. and he called it one of the proudest moments, since they produced its first prototype vehicle.

Wil James, president of Toyota’s largest plant in the world, said that there were many proud moments.

“Those first few days on the job, I could not imagine we were only a few months away from building our first car. But in May 1988, the first Camry came off the line, just like we said it would. I knew then this plant was going to be a really special place.”

The plant in Kentucky, Inc. can manufacture 550,000 vehicles and 600,000 engines per year. This plant produces the prestigious Lexus brand, when the new line was opened in 2015. Vehicles produced in Georgetown have the highest locally based content, up to 75 percent, including the Camry.

James said at the newly renovated Visitor Center community celebration that the 30-year old plant will prepare for the next 30 years in car-building and beyond.

There are many ongoing plans. Engineering campus is planned to be finished in 2017, moving 300 engineering positions to Georgetown. Old equipment will be replaced and a new paint shop will be opened.
James and other members of the TMMK team donned shades during the ceremony to demonstrate “Toyota’s bright future in Kentucky”.
“Toyota has had a powerful impact on Kentucky’s economy over the past 30 years,” said Governor Matt Bevin. “Continued investment in the Georgetown plant, including the production line for the first Lexus made in the U.S., has put the Commonwealth on the map as a top state for automotive manufacturing. Add to that the more than $120 million invested in local communities, there is no doubt Toyota is a strong community partner. We are truly grateful to have them in Kentucky.”

To mark the 30-year milestone, over $100,000 will be donated to charity organization to celebrate three decades of Toyota being a part of the community. Toyota will donate $30,000 to a local robotics program called VEX. The students at every level in Scott County will also be funded.

Additional donations will be declared by the end of the year.