Toyota Motor Corporation announced on April 23 that Tianjin FAW Toyota Engine Co., Ltd. (TFTE), a joint venture established with the China FAW Group Corporation (FAW), will start production, marking the establishment of FAW's Plant No. 2 in Tianjin. With an investment of 270 million Yuan, the plant is expected to reach an annual production capacity of 220,000 units.
TFTE's Plant No. 2 will be responsible for manufacturing the ZR 1.6/1.8-liter engines used in the new Corolla to be produced at Tianjin FAW Toyota Motor Co., Ltd. (TFTM) from mid-2007.
The ZR engine features Dual VVT-i (Variable Valve Timing-intelligent) offering not only superior driving performance but also excellent fuel efficiency. When production starts at Plant No. 2, it will be the first time the ZR engine has been manufactured outside of Japan.
The existing ZZ engine will stop production in May this year.
