Toyo Tire & Rubber begins prototype tyre production at Georgia plant

Cartersville, Georgia -- Toyo Tire & Rubber has launched prototype tyre production at Toyo Tire North America, its new tyre production subsidiary in Georgia, on October 10, just a year from its groundbreaking ceremony held in October 2004.

Upon completion of product quality checks and performance tests, the subsidiary will launch commercial production in early 2006. Incorporating Toyo Tire's proprietary Advanced Tire Operation Module (ATOM) production system, which boasts high-quality, reduced space, flexible production and automation, the new plant will be able to flexibly adjust production schedules in accordance with market trends and needs.

The subsidiary has an annual production capacity of 2 million tyres for use in passenger vehicles and light trucks