February 28, 2007	Wednesday	Safar 10, 1428

WASHINGTON, Feb 27: Japanese auto giant Toyota announced plans on Tuesday to build its eighth North American factory in the southern state of Mississippi, a $1.3 billion facility, to build sport utility vehicles.

The new plant will have the capacity to build 150,000 vehicles annually of Toyota's Highlander SUV. Production is scheduled to begin by 2010. Toyota Motor Corp., which is on track to surpass GM this year as the world's top automaker, hopes the new investment will ease potential trade friction with Washington, some analysts say. —AFP