Media release 

Australian Minister for Trade, Mark Vaile

Wednesday, May 3, 2000

Toyota to Support APEC Trade Minister's Meeting

Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, today welcomed an offer by Toyota Australia to provide 26 Avalon Grande sedans to facilitate the APEC Meeting of Ministers Responsible for Trade in Darwin next month.

The Grande is the luxury version of the new Avalon large car, just starting to be manufactured at Toyota's plant in Altona, Victoria, and due to be released on the Australian market on July 1.

"Toyota's generous offer for the June 6-7 APEC (Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation) meeting provides an excellent opportunity to showcase the world-class capabilities of Australia's automotive industry to a high-profile regional audience," Mr Vaile said.

Mr Vaile also congratulated Toyota on its continued export success.

"Nearly 35,000 Camrys were exported last year earning more than $675 million. This was an important contribution to Australia's overall automotive exports which increased by 23 per cent to a record $3.2 billion in 1999."

Mr Vaile toured Toyota's Altona plant where the Avalon and Camry are manufactured, meeting some of Toyota Australia's 4100 Australian employees.

Mr Vaile said the Government's Automotive Trade Strategy was clearly succeeding.

"These outstanding results prove that our automotive industry is now truly world class and that Australian-made vehicles and components are as good as any made in the major international automotive centres."

Contacts:
Minister's Office: Bruce Mills 0418 273 475
Toyota: Ross Morten 0408 594 558

A publication-quality digital image to illustrate this release can be retrieved at www.pressroom.com.au (For assistance call 02 9901 9410)

Caption: Trade Minister, Mark Vaile, and Toyota Australia senior executives inspect the new Avalon Grande at Toyota's plant in Altona, Victoria.

MVT34/2000

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