Toyota moves Calif. plant production to Ontario

Toyota will move production of a subcompact to Ontario when its joint venture with GM in California ends next March.

The California plant's production of the Corolla will be moved to Toyota's Cambridge facility, as well as a plant in Japan, the company said Friday.

"Corollas will be sourced from its Cambridge, Ont., Canada plant, as well as Japan to meet near-term demand. This will enable an uninterrupted supply of vehicles to dealers and customers in North America," said a Toyota news release.

The Cambridge plant already assembles Corolla sedans and Matrix hatchbacks.

It is not yet clear how many jobs will be gained in Ontario because of the move.

Toyota's board voted Thursday to end the company's production contract at the Fremont, Calif.-based New United Motor Manufacturing Incorporated plant in 2010. The decision will see the shutdown of the auto assembly plant.

Toyota had said it was moving toward liquidating its stake in the West Coast facility after the plant's fate was thrown into question in June when GM announced it was withdrawing from the 50-50 joint venture.

The plant has also been assembling the Tacoma pickup and the Pontiac Vibe.