Toyota's U.S. subsidiary is putting more marks of "Made in America" under the hood.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing USA Inc. said it has started installing General Motors engine blocks in four-cylinder Camry autos. The iron blocks are made in Ohio and replace parts previously imported from Japan.Camrys are built at Toyota's plant in Georgetown, Ky. The blocks come from GM's Power Train Division plant in Defiance, Ohio.
"We're pleased to add GM's Defiance plant to our growing list of U.S. suppliers," said Alex Warren, Toyota USA senior vice president. "This week's production marks the start of a strong partnership between our two organizations."
Toyota said it plans to buy up to 180,000 blocks annually from GM. The Defiance plant employs about 3,700 workers.
Toyota said it has been buying more U.S.-made parts since opening the Georgetown plant in 1988. Last year, the company said it spent $1.8 billion on goods from 174 U.S. suppliers.
The domestic content of the Camry is about 75 percent, the company said. Domestic content will be similarly high for the new Avalon auto, which will be built in the United States starting this fall, Toyota said.