Washington, D.C.—October 17th—Japanese auto manufacturers have invested in three large new vehicle and engine manufacturing plants in the U.S. despite a lingering recession in Japan and economic uncertainties in the U.S., according to "Japan's Automobile Manufacturers: Global Companies Meeting New Challenges with Advanced Technologies," a report released today by the Japan Automobile Manufacturers Association (JAMA).

"Nearly $20 billion have been invested in U.S. plants over the past 22 years. These plants produce 2.4 million vehicles and 2.2 million engines annually. JAMA members' U.S. plants account for 12.4 percent of U.S. vehicle exports. Overall, Japanese automakers and their dealers employ more than 360,000 people in this country," said William C. Duncan, General Director, JAMA USA.

JAMA member companies have put a high priority on developing advanced technology and environmentally friendly vehicles. The report illustrates this priority with photos and information. Included are:

• The Toyota Prius and Honda Insight hybrid cars, which combine gasoline and electric propulsion. The more than 100,000 Prius models already sold in over 20 countries are making a direct and substantial contribution to fuel economy and the reduction of greenhouse gases. Both these cars are now a familiar sight on American roads.
• A variety of hybrid trucks, compressed natural gas powered vans, and fuel cell powered vehicles. Two of these fuel cell powered vehicles, Toyota's SUV, based on the Kluger-V in Japan and the Highlander in the U.S., and Honda's FCX, will be introduced in the U.S. around the end of 2002.
• The hydrogen fuel cell powered Nissan Xterra FCV and the hybrid all-wheel-drive Subaru HM-01 concept compact.

The report highlights other statistics:

• Purchases of U.S. auto parts totaled $35.66 billion, a fourteen-fold increase since 1986.
• Japanese automakers now supply 64 percent of their total U.S. sales from their North American plants, compared with less than 12 percent in 1986.
• Japanese auto plants now employ 48,000 employees in the U.S., compared with 11,000 in 1987.

The report is available on-line at www.jama.org or by contacting the JAMA News Bureau at (202) 452-1670.