Torrance, California – Toyota Motor Sales USA Inc. has announced plans to export North American-built Sequoia and Tundra vehicles to distributors in Latin America and the Middle East, with the intention of satisfying customer demand in global markets and maintaining leaner North American inventory levels.

The shipments will begin in December 2008, marking the first time the vehicles have been exported from the United States.

“Our broad line-up allows us to satisfy customer needs in North America and beyond,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales. “In the Middle East and Latin America, Sequoia and Tundra fit the bill and address customer demand for quality, high-utility vehicles.”

Plans include exporting Sequoia, manufactured in Indiana, to various countries in the Middle East, with a forecast of approximately 15,000 units annually, and to Latin America, at approximately 150 units annually. The Tundra, manufactured in Texas, will be exported to several markets in Latin America, with a forecast of approximately 1,000 vehicles annually. Toyota Motor Sales primarily sells vehicles in the U.S. market, but began exporting American-built vehicles in 1988.