Bangalore-based Toyota Kirloskar Motor private Limited (TKML) has roped in an experienced production person from Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) as the new Deputy Managing Director (DMD). Mr. Shigeru Tomonaga, a qualified mechanical engineer, with over 30 years experience working in Toyota's plants in Japan, has recently taken over as the DMD at TKML. He joins the management team of Mr. A.Toyoshima, Managing Director , TKML in the place of Mr. M. Seki.

Mr. Tomonaga comes on board at a critical juncture when the production mix at the TKML plant at Bidadi is seeing a change to accommodate the increase in demand for Innova. Innova, the first 3-row seating passenger car on Indian roads, has seen a steady rise in demand since its launch in February this year. It recorded sales of over 14,000 vehicles as of June, 2005 clocking over 4000 units in June alone.

Toyota Kirloskar Motor (TKM) Bidadi plant has recently hiked its production capacity to 60,000 vehicles per year to meet the growing demand in the market place.

Mr. Tomonaga has been closely associated with Toyota's Motomachi plant in Japan taking care of engineering, production and assembly divisions of the plant. In the last four years, he has been the GM in charge of vehicle engineering at Toyota's Global Production Center in Japan.

Announcing the appointment through a press release here, Toyota Kirloskar Motor spokesperson stated, "Mr. Tomonaga's role in Toyota Kirloskar Motor's growth will be very critical since we are in the midst of coping with the production challenges posed by the success of Innova and are looking at increasing capacities."

About Toyota Kirloskar Motor

TKM is a joint venture between Toyota Motor Corporation and the Kirloskar Group. TKM has invested nearly Rs. 1,500 crores in its plant at Bidadi, employing over 2,300 people. The plant started production in December 1999 and has a capacity of producing 60,000 units annually.

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