Toyota to add transmission capacity to West Virginia plant

(February 25, 2011) BUFFALO, W.Va. (PRNewswire) —Toyota announced today it will add 6-speed automatic transmission capacity at its plant in Buffalo. The $64 million investment will create approximately 40 new jobs in West Virginia. 

Toyota made the announcement with Governor Earl Ray Tomblin, U.S. Senator Jay Rockefeller, U.S. Representative Shelley Moore
Capito, Toyota management and team members in attendance.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing West Virginia, Inc. (TMMWV) currently builds 6-speed transmissions for V6 engine models including the Avalon, Camry, Lexus RX350, Sienna and Venza.

The expansion will bring TMMWV's annual transmission capacity to nearly 400,000.  The expansion raises total employment to approximately 1,100 and total plant investment to $1.26 billion.

Similarly, Bodine Aluminum facilities in Jackson, Tenn. and Troy, Mo. will also add capacity to support TMMWV.  Start of production at all three facilities is projected by the end of 2012.

The two Bodine Aluminum plants will provide transmission cases and housing parts to the West Virginia plant.  The expansion will increase Bodine's capacity by more than 320,000 units annually representing approximately 20 new jobs and an $8.4 million investment.