Toyota Recognizes Top Suppliers for 2007

ERLANGER, Ky. - Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA) has announced award-winning North American suppliers for 2007. The awards recognize those suppliers who exceeded the company's expectations in the following areas: Launch Performance, Technology, Supplier Diversity, Value Improvement and Quality.

TEMA also added a new recognition level called the TEAM (Total Exceptional Achievement for Manufacturing) Award for suppliers that excel in overall performance. The winner of this year's award is DENSO International America, Inc.

In addition, the following suppliers received the Superior Award in the areas of Supplier Diversity, Value Improvement and Quality: DENSO International America, Inc. (Value Improvement, Supplier Diversity); Johnson Controls, Inc. (Supplier Diversity); Kyowa American Corporation (Quality); MAHLE Industries, Inc. (Quality); Ryder Supply Chain Solutions (Value Improvement); TP Corporation of America (Quality) and U.S. Engine Valve (Quality).

The awards were presented at Toyota's Annual Business Meeting and Awards Ceremony at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, bringing together approximately 500 North American suppliers. Toyota hosts this annual event to communicate objectives for the current year, recognize top supplier performance for the prior year and enhance relationships.

"TEMA works closely with our North American suppliers in order to build our top quality vehicles; therefore, we take this opportunity to recognize outstanding performance of our top suppliers," stated Atsushi "Art" Kume, Senior Vice President of TEMA. "Suppliers' commitment to continuous improvement is key to achieving Toyota's long term focus on quality and value."