MONTGOMERY - Governor Bob Riley today commented on news that Toyota plans to expand its Huntsville engine production facility, investing an additional $147 million and adding at least 240 new jobs. The expansion will bring total investment at Toyota’s Alabama plant to $637 million and the total number of jobs to more than 1000.

Governor Riley made the following statement:

“This is exciting news for Alabama. All over the country you hear about cutbacks and layoffs, but you don’t hear about many expansions. Yet in Alabama, Toyota is not just maintaining their production line, they’re expanding it, bringing more than 240 new jobs to the Huntsville area. Toyota’s investment in Alabama is an example of what happens when we create an environment in which business can succeed and offer the best-trained, most flexible workforce you’ll find anywhere in the world.”

“This is also a testament to the work ethic and professionalism of the production team at the Huntsville plant. From the plant leadership to the assembly floor, the team at Toyota is a model of quality and efficiency. Their success has bred more success.”