Toyota is adding 800 new jobs at its Woodstock, Ontario plant to boost production of RAV4 sport utility vehicles to 150,000 per year, for sale in North America, the Japanese car maker announced Thursday.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) will add a second shift at the plant, in order to build the majority of its RAV4s for the North American market in Ontario, it said in a statement.

"Thanks to the high demand for this popular vehicle, we are able to increase production in Woodstock," said Ray Tanguay, president of TMMC.

Hiring is to begin this month for the new shift set to launch in March, he said in a video statement.

The Toyota plant was opened in November 2008 and currently employs 1,200 workers. It also builds the Toyota Corolla, Matrix and Lexus RX350 vehicles.