First and 10,000,000th Camry

Cute release honoring the car and the manufacturing facility in Georgetown, KY.

Wayne Gerdes - CleanMPG - Aug 31, 2014



1988 Toyota Camry – First produced at Georgetown, KY.



A Time Machine flashback to May of 1988… Toyota, today reached a major milestone at the new $1.1 billion automobile manufacturing complex in Georgetown, Kentucky. An internal employee ceremony attended by approximately 1,100 employees celebrated the first Toyota Camry produced in Kentucky using newly installed equipment, processes, and the dedicated efforts of an American work force.



The car represented achievement of the rigorous quality standards established by Toyota in Japan and was the first car produced during the pilot production period.



There are currently around 1,100 employees at Toyota Motor Manufacturing at Georgetown with ninety percent of from Kentucky. An additional 600 employees will be hired by the end of 1988. An additional 1 ,300 will be hired for a second shift which is scheduled to begin in summer 1989, and 500 employees will be hired for the Power Train Plant.



To date, 8 groups or 268 Team Leaders and Group Leaders have received four weeks of intensive training at the Tsutsumi plant in Toyota City, Japan. Training consisted of a combination of classroom instruction, observation of Group Leaders and Team Leaders in Japan and hands-on training by building cars on the production line in Japan. The goal of the training was to provide a thorough introduction to the Toyota Production System and develop a personal understanding of the important role each team member plays in achieving Toyota quality.



During the months of May and June, pilot production vehicles will be built at the Georgetown facility; emphasis will be on training and confirming product quality. As production increases in mid-July, emphasis will be on improving production efficiency and increasing volume. Early 1989, when full production is reached with one shift, production will be 400 cars per day.



On December 11, 1985, Toyota Motor Corporation announced the selection of Kentucky for the location of the first wholly owned automobile manufacturing facility in the United States. Ground breaking for the $800 million automobile manufacturing plant followed on May 5 of the following year. A $300 million expansion to add a Power Train Plant which will produce engines, axles and steering components was announced on November 9, 1987, bringing the total investment in Kentucky to $1.1 billion. At full production, the plant will employ 3,500 and will produce 200,000 Camry sedans annually.



Back to today.



The 10,000,000th Camry



Keys to a new car makes you feel good. Keys to a new car makes you won in a random drawing makes you feel even better…



Toyota just announced Tom Keith was the winner of a band new 2014 Camry in a random drawing of the 7,000 team members on site during a ceremony Wednesday, August 27. This white Camry was a little more special than most as it was the 10-millionth vehicle made at the plant since the first Camry rolled off the line in 1988. Tom Keith is a team member in the Quality Control Department and was at the plant when that first one rolled off the line.



Tom had been with the company for 26 years and is one of 200 team members still working at the plant since that first Camry rolled off the line.



Keith lives in Scott County with his wife Paula. They have four grown children, one in high school, two daughters attending college and one son who is an archeologist in Florida.



While TMMK’s first Camry was preserved for historical purposes and resides in the plant’s visitor center, it was decided that the 10 millionth vehicle would be awarded to a lucky team member via a random drawing.



After hearing the news of his good luck, Tom said:

Quote:

“I’m in shock. I’m going to surprise my wife. She works at the Scott County Library and drives a 2007 Avalon. I’m going to go over there this afternoon, move her car out and park the new Camry in her space. She’s going to scream.”

I think I would scream to. :)

Tom Keith with his 10,000,000th Camry.

Good to see this excellent car awarded to a long term member of the Georgetown, KY manufacturing facility.

First and 10,000,000th Camry