Gov. Eric Holcomb checks out the new Sequoia Platinum her purchased Wednesday. The SUV was on display as Toyota's 5th million vehicle came off the line at the Gibson County plant. Staff photo by Andrea Howe
PRINCETON — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb's 10-year-old Toyota Sequoia SUV has logged more than 200,000 miles wandering Indiana. Though he said Wednesday that he has no doubt the Gibson County-made SUV could go another 200,000 miles, he's ready for that new car smell.
He liked the looks of a glistening black Sequoia Platinum series parked in the lobby of the Toyota Visitors Center Wednesday — the 5 millionth vehicle to roll off the line at the Gibson County manufacturing plant — so he bought it.
The governor told a packed house at the visitors center gathered to celebrate the production milestone that he can't wait for more miles and more milestones. "I know Toyota Indiana's going places," he said, borrowing from the company's "Let's Go Places" marketing slogan.
To celebrate the production achievement, Toyota Indiana donated $15,000 each to East Gibson School Corp.'s outdoor science lab, Evansville Public Library's youth robotics program, Play for Kate foundation for ATV safety awareness, University of Southern Indiana's "girls only" STEM camp and Work One of Southwest Indiana to waive fees for GED testing.
The donations were presented by veteran team members, some who were a part of the production of the very first Toyota Tundra to roll off the line in December 1998.
Since that first pickup, Toyota has produced 4,999,999 more vehicles including the Sequoia, Sienna minivan and Highlander SUV gas and hybrid models. Toyota Indiana President, Millie Marshall, who marks her 26th year with the company and her first eight months leading the Gibson County plant, thanked state, regional, county and city officials for their support over the past 20 years.
Since breaking ground in 1996 the company has invested $4.3 billion and created 5,300 full-time Toyota jobs plus 700 variable workforce positions with an annual payroll of about $325 million.
In addition, the company's 82 Indiana supplier facilities have created jobs for 12,284 people.
Toyota announced a $600 million production expansion in January that will create 400 more jobs by 2019, and Marshall said Wednesday that new opportunities for advanced technology at the plant are coming in the next three years.
"We thank you for your ongoing support," she said, noting that the company's three primary goals are bringing new business, increasing on-the-job training and knowledge and continuing to be a strong community partner. In the past two decades, Toyota Indiana team members have volunteered 284,810 hours in their communities and the company has donated more than $24 million to area non-profits.
"Our focus is on being a competitive, caring inclusive and learning environment," she said.
Marshall just returned from a trade mission trip to Japan with the governor and about 50 other Hoosier representatives. "We could have no better person representing us," she said of Holcomb, noting that he had more than 30 meetings and met everyone with "a big smile and no evidence of jet lag. It truly was amazing to watch him. He went 24 by 7."
The governor said he appreciates Toyota's economic impact on the state, but said there's no way to properly articulate appreciation for how much Toyota gives back to the community. "It would be a lot to celebrate the five millionth vehicle to roll off the line, but to know what you do in the community...the transformational work you have done in people's lives...Thank you all, again."
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