Press Release

Toyo Tire & Rubber Co., Ltd. (President and CEO: Yoshio Kataoka) announced the successful production of the first experimental tire on October 10 by its new subsidiary Toyo Tire North America, Inc. (TNA), Bartow County, Georgia, USA.

Thanks to smooth progress in the construction plan made possible by intensive facility construction and preparations, the experimental tire production has become a reality within less than a year after the groundbreaking ceremony on October 19, 2004. The new plant is on schedule to begin a series of quality checks and performance measures of experimental tires before the commencement of full-scale production slated to begin by the end of March 2006.

The new plant has incorporated Toyo's proprietary, highly-automated tire production system Advanced Tire Operation Module (A.T.O.M.). Designed for multi product, small lot production of quality products with reduced space needs, the A.T.O.M. system is scalable in design to adapt to changes in production plans or to expand on a modular basis in response to market demands. Strategically situated near rail, air and interstate highway transportation, the new manufacturing facility also features a major central warehouse for the Southeast US, allowing TNA to streamline its tire distribution to dealers.

Coinciding with the progress of the facility's construction, the hiring and job training process of the region's skilled workforce is on schedule. Job training is being provided through a Georgia Quick Start program.

Mr. Shozo Kibata, president of TNA, left, and Mr. Jim Hawk, senior vice president,
plant manager of TNA, right, stand in front of the plant's first experimental tire produced entirely at new Georgia facility.