Not only do Palo Alto area drivers love the Toyota Corolla, but Americans have helped make it one of the best-selling cars of all time. Because of that, Toyota has made a point to move more manufacturing plants to the United States. The latest of these, in Blue Springs, Mississippi, just celebrated their very first production - a shiny black Corolla - alongside Toyota Motor Corp. President, Akio Toyoda.

The new plant was a $1.3-billion investment from the Japanese automaker, announced in February of 2007. The price tag includes the cost of constructing the plant as well as the starting wage of $15/hour and health benefits for 1,500-2,000 employees. As the unemployment rate in the state hovers just around 10-percent, the additional jobs at the plant and the surrounding suppliers are well worth the the celebration.

Mississippi Governor Haley Barbour talked to reporters at the plant during the event, echoing the feeling surrounding the celebration. He said of the opening, "Today is a great day for Blue Springs and the entire state of Mississippi...we are proud to be the home of Toyota, and we look forward to a long and successful relationship with our newest corporate partner."¹

The feeling is mutual, as Masafumi Hamaguchi, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Mississippi (TMMMS) said, "Mississippi has provided us with a great workforce who welcomes challengers and are eager to learn. Our slogan is: 'Always look for the best way, using our pioneer spirit.' The Mississipi workforce has shown that they have this spirit."²

Since production first began in late October of this year, 550 Corollas have rolled off the line. We're sure we'll see many more expertly engineered cars from this facility pulling into Magnussen's Toyota of Palo Alto, soon. Be sure to stop by the showroom at 690 San Antonio Rd Palo Alto, CA 94306, and see why the Toyota Corolla is head and shoulders above the rest!

Source:^1,2http://www.torquenews.com/1063/toyota-begins-assembly-2012-toyota-corolla-mississippi