Toyota Launches CVT Production in China

Toyota Motor Corp. has begun making continuously variable transmissions in Changshu, China.

Production by the company's The Toyota Motor (Changshu) Auto Parts Co., Ltd. venture marks the first time Toyota has assembled CVTs outside Japan.

Output of the fuel-efficient transmissions will be used initially in Toyota Corolla sedans and Levin sport coupe variants, which went into production in China earlier this summer. The $285 million Changshu factory opened two years ago and has capacity to make 240,000 transmissions per year.

The Toyota Motor (Changshu) Auto Parts Co., Ltd. factory also is being prepared to supply batteries and inverters for hybrid powertrains in Corolla/Levin models in 2015.