Toyota boosts Tacoma production in Mexico
MEXICO CITY — Even with truck sales plummeting, Toyota Motor Corp. is increasing Tacoma pickup output in Tijuana, Baja California — its sole assembly plant in Mexico.
The factory will build 50,000 Tacomas this year, up from 32,249 in 2007, Adolfo Hegewisch, managing director of Toyota Motor Sales de Mexico, said in an interview on Thursday, July 3.
U.S. sales of the Tacoma — like sales of most light trucks — are down dramatically this year. Tacoma sales fell 25.9 percent to 11,364 vehicles in June from June 2007. For the first six months of this year, sales fell 9.1 percent to 84,068 from 92,462 during the first six months of 2007.
Toyota also makes the Tacoma truck at the New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. plant in Fremont, Calif. The plant, a joint venture with General Motors, also makes the Toyota Corolla and Pontiac Vibe. It’s unclear whether the boost in Tacoma output in Mexico will allow Toyota to increase Corolla production at NUMMI.
Hegewisch discussed Tacoma production during a wide-ranging interview with Automotive News.
On another topic, Hegewisch was asked whether Toyota’s expulsion from the Mexican Automotive Industry Association last February was related to its relatively low production in Mexico.
“We have complied 100 percent with the automotive decree” that stipulates production and investment levels, Hegewisch said. “It’s not for AMIA to say whether we have complied or not, but the government. Baja will produce 50,000 vehicles or more this year.”
Toyota was expelled from the group in a disagreement over voting rights. Hegewisch called the issue “a misunderstanding.” He said Toyota is in no hurry to be readmitted.
“There’s no doubt we can live without each other. The important thing is both Toyota and AMIA think that’s not the right thing to do, that we need to be part of the industry and, as a result, we have to be part of AMIA,” Hegewisch said.
“I don’t know when we’ll go back. We don’t want to put a specific date” on a return, he said. “There are some things we need to discuss, and we don’t want to be pressured on this.”
Meanwhile, Hegewisch said Toyota hopes to introduce the Camry Hybrid to Mexico early in 2009. A second hybrid, the Highlander, and a third, the new-generation Prius, may follow, he said.
Despite a 2.5 percent increase in Mexico’s gross domestic product in the first five months, consumer confidence is waning, he thinks.
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Consequently, Hegewisch has lowered his forecast of Toyota’s projected sales in Mexico this year from 73,000, made in January, to 70,000 — which is still up from 66,208 in 2007.
Toyota entered Mexico six years ago and sells 16 models in the country.
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