Toyota in North America: 25 million vehicles built and still going

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On Tuesday, Toyota's Georgetown, KY assembly plant celebrated the start of production for the all-new 2013 Avalon as well as the Japanese automaker's 25 millionth vehicle manufactured in North America. The milestone model was a silver Avalon Hybrid .

"Toyota's 25 millionth vehicle signifies the tireless work of thousands of Toyota team members, hundreds of North American supplier partners, and great dealers giving their best every day," said Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. "We continue to evolve as a company thanks to their commitment to build the best vehicles in the market."

This marks a pivotal time in Toyota's 26-year history in North America, highlighted by a direct investment of nearly $24 billion and the creation of 365,000 jobs in the U.S. alone.

The Georgetown assembly plant employs approximately 6,600 people and builds the Camry , Camry Hybrid , Avalon and Venza, as well as 4- and 6-cylinder engines.