To increase production of Highlander SUV at Indiana plant plan by Toyota Motor

The Japanese auto maker Toyota Motor Corp has reportedly announced that it will increase production of the Highlander SUV in late 2013 at its Princeton, Indiana assembly plant. According to reports, Toyota will invest some $400 million in support of global demand for the Highlander, which will no longer be assembled in Japan by late 2013.

As mentioned in the reports total capacity increase at Princeton will be 50,000 units per year and the expansion will create 400 new jobs at the facility. The company builds the Highlander in China as well, but the model is not exported. At Princeton, the expanded production of the Highlander will include hybrid and export versions with exports centered on Russian and Australian markets.

St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc that "This project allows for better utilization of the Indiana plant and will support Toyota to capitalize on the improving North American and global auto market. In addition to new jobs at the Indiana plant, increase in opportunities and jobs will be due to this project for our North American supply base." Toyota currently employs 4,800 people at Princeton where it also builds the Sequoia full-size SUV and the Sienna minivan.