24-04-2007 Tianjin
FAW Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. (TFTM) announced today the company will construct a
new $270 million engine plant in Tianjin, with an annual output capacity of 220,000
units. The
new plant will compliment the company¡¯s existing 50/50 joint venture
engine factory, Tianjin FAW Toyota Engine Co., which produces 220,000 engines
a year for Tianjin FAW Toyota¡¯s Vios and Corolla models. Tianjin
FAW Toyota is scheduled to begin making Toyota's next generation Corolla in the
middle of this year at a third factory with planned capacity of 200,000 cars a
year. The new
plant will begin producing engines for the new Corolla sedan starting in mid-2007.
The new plant
will build 1.6 and 1.8 liter ZR series engines, featuring Toyota's latest fuel
economy and environmental technology called ¡°Dual VVT-i¡±
(Variable Valve Timing with intelligence). This is the first time for Toyota¡¯s
second generation VVT-i technology to be produced outside of Japan. Dual
VVT-i continuously optimizes both intake and exhaust valve timing at all engine
speeds and loads, delivering abundant torque characteristics at low and medium
speeds. The new ZR series engine offers one of the best torque performances in
the 1.8-liter class. The
use of Dual VVT-i and ultra-light pistons, along with reduced friction loss among
parts (the engine utilizes roller bearings in the rocker arm valve train), achieves
at least 5 percent greater fuel efficiency than conventional engines. The ZR series
clean emissions levels are 75% lower than the maximum allowed by 2005 emissions
standards. The
engine¡¯s modular front section design has reduced exterior dimensions
and weight for higher fuel economy, lower emissions, and more efficient performance.
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