TORRANCE, Calif., Oct. 30 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., today announced plans to export North American-built Sequoia and Tundra vehicles to distributors in Latin America and the Middle East with an eye for satisfying customer demand in global markets and maintaining leaner North American inventory levels.

Shipments will commence in December 2008, marking the first time Sequoia and Tundra vehicles have been exported from the United States.

"Our broad lineup allows us to satisfy customer needs in North America and beyond," said TMS President Jim Lentz. "In the Middle East and Latin America, Sequoia and Tundra fit the bill and address customer demand for quality, high-utility vehicles.

Plans include exporting Sequoia, manufactured in Princeton, Ind., to various countries in the Middle East, and exporting Tundra, manufactured in San Antonio, Texas, to several markets in Latin America.

Sequoia exports to the Middle East are forecasted at approximately 15,000 units annually, while Sequoia exports to Latin America are projected at approximately 150 units annually. Tundra exports to Latin America are forecasted at approximately 1,000 units annually. TMS primarily sells vehicles to the U.S. market, but began exporting U.S.-built vehicles in 1988.

About Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.

Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc. is the marketing, sales, distribution and customer service arm of Toyota, Lexus and Scion. Established in 1957, TMS markets products and services through a network of more than 1,400 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealers. Toyota directly employs over 36,000 people in the U.S. and sold more than 2.6 million vehicles in 2007. For more information about our company, please visit http://www.toyota.com/.

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SOURCE Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc.