Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. announced Thursday it is adding a second shift at its assembly plant in Woodstock, Ont., creating more than 800 jobs.

Hiring will begin immediately so the new shift can be added by March.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. says it will begin hiring immediately. (Toyota Canada)

The company plans to increase its output of RAV4 crossover utility vehicles to 150,000 a year.

The move is another sign of recovery in the troubled auto sector and the U.S. market, where most of the RAV4s are sold. Sales of the vehicle rose 35 per cent in November.

"Thanks to the high demand of this popular vehicle we are able to increase production and provide more jobs at Toyota," said company president Ray Tanguay.

Federal Industry Minister Tony Clement said that with the addition of 800 jobs, "we are all winners because when a plant like this expands, it adds to the supply chain and builds the industry."

Toyota’s announcement comes less than a week after General Motors Co. said it would increase production of Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers at its Cami Automotive Inc. plant in Ingersoll, Ont., recalling several hundred laid-off workers.