[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 25 (Wednesday, March 8, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E237]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                      NUMMI REDESIGNS TOYOTA TRUCK

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                        HON. FORTNEY PETE STARK

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, March 8, 2000

  Mr. STARK. Mr. Speaker, I would like to call attention to the unique 
creativity of the employees at the New United Motor Manufacturing 
Incorporated (NUMMI) plant in Fremont, California, and congratulate 
them for the assembly-line inspired innovation that brought the Toyota 
Tacoma Stepside pickup truck into production.
  In the world's auto industry, new design ideas traditionally come 
from the corporate headquarters and its design team, to the engineering 
team and sales team, and then to the actual manufacturing plant and the 
people who really build the cars. But the Toyota Tacoma Stepside pickup 
truck is different. In this rare instance the innovation for the new 
product came from the manufacturing plant, the company then worked in 
collaboration to enforce its accomplishment. United Motors broke away 
from a long-standing tradition and demonstrated that input and 
innovation from various levels of the plant, working as a team, can be 
influential and successful in generating new ideas.
  NUMMI has long been a model of innovation and creativity. It has a 
marriage of the GM and Toyota companies that has brought the highest 
quality, innovative autos to the American market. New United Motors 
Manufacturing Incorporated was started at a closed GM plant in 1984, 
and the joint bi-national effort was a major step in helping resolve 
the U.S.-Japan trade tensions of the 1980's. The plant has been in 
operation for 15 years, adding billions to the California and national 
economy.
  In addition to its economic success, United Motors has been an asset 
to the Fremont community since its establishment in 1984, providing 
jobs for well over 4700 employees and giving continual support to 
social programs around the community. United Motors has been 
particularly recognized for their community service efforts in offering 
grant support to non-profit organizations. United Motors also supported 
the school district partnership program that has helped the Fremont 
School District with its program of educational renewal. Other 
achievements also include awards for environmental achievement (1990), 
Company of the year (1994 and 1995) by the California Water Pollution 
Control Association and the J.D. Power and Associates Silver Plant 
Quality Award (1999).
  Congratulations to the team members and UAW local 2244 at NUMMI for 
their latest innovation, for keeping jobs in Fremont, and for once 
again showing real hands-on innovation and teamwork.

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