TMMI Lives Again, Sienna on the Way

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana (TMMI) is getting ready to receive production of the third generation Toyota Sienna and the Japanese carmaker is now confident that the worst has passed. Severely struck by escalating gas prices following Hurricane Katrina and the overcapacity issues of 2008, the plant and its management are now confident the new Sienna may represent a new beginning.

4,200 still work for TMMI and, according to the carmaker, they went to hell and back during the months when the facility was left with two vehicles – the Sienna minivan and the Sequoia full-size SUV (as the Tundra was moved to Texas). Overstaffed for almost a year, Toyota was forced to pump $450 million to upgrade the plant and receive production of the Highlander.

"Without a doubt, our team members were worried.  Layoffs were happening all over the auto industry,” Wil James, senior vice president of TMMI said. “It would be many months before Highlander production began. As a result, half of our team members were not building vehicles.”

“Our team members know better than anyone else how to do their jobs and they always have the flexibility to change processes in order to improve safety, quality and efficiency. Again, big improvements are difficult when the line is running. But the downtime allowed for significant advancements."

But, as Toyota says, the tough road lies behind. The Sienna will begin production in January, with the carmaker hoping for the best. The car will be released on the market in February 2010.