Toyota To Export SUVs From U.S. To Russia, China

TOKYO (Nikkei)--Toyota Motor Corp. (7203) is stepping up exports from North America to emerging markets, including plans to begin shipping sport utility vehicles from the U.S. to Russia in April.

The carmaker will ship 4,000 Venza SUVs to Russia annually and 1,000 to Ukraine, according to Tuesday's announcement. In addition, exports from North America to China are slated to begin next month at a projected volume of several thousand a year.

This will mark the first time that Toyota will ship vehicles from the U.S. to Russia or China.

By 2014, the company expects to be exporting 150,000 vehicles a year from the U.S., 20% more than in 2012.

Developed specifically for North America, the Venza is produced at a plant in the state of Kentucky. As a result of a U.S.-South Korea free trade agreement coming into effect, Toyota began shipping the vehicle to South Korea last October.

The automaker will also begin delivering Highlander SUVs to Russia by the end of this year.

(The Nikkei, Feb. 27 morning edition)

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