Birmingham, Ala. - U.S. Rep. Bud Cramer (D-Ala.) was in Birmingham today for a major economic development announcement for North Alabama. Toyota announced that it is expanding the production capacity at its Huntsville manufacturing facility from 120,000 units a year to 250,000 units a year by 2005.  This will create approximately 150 new jobs in North Alabama.

"This is a very exciting announcement," said Cramer.  "Toyota is a good friend to the state of Alabama and is now expanding that relationship.  They have discovered what a good area North Alabama is to do business, and this expansion is great news for both Toyota and the people of North Alabama.  We need these new good jobs and I'm proud to stand here with Toyota today to make this announcement."

The $20 million expansion announced today will take the number of employees from approximately 350 to 500 by mid-2005.  The facility will also begin producing V-6 engines as well as V-8 engines for use in the Tundra truck and the Tacoma truck.

Cramer first joined Toyota to announce plans to build the V-8 engine production facility in Huntsville in February of 2001.  In May, he again joined Toyota to celebrate the roll-out of its first engine produced in the facility. 

Cramer continued, "I've enjoyed developing a good relationship with Toyota over the past few years.  I congratulate Tag Taguchi, Dennis Cuneo, and the entire Toyota team of employees for this exciting announcement.  Toyota will always be welcome in Alabama."