Toyota has announced a massive investment in its Georgetown, Kentucky plant, committing nearly $1 billion to prepare for its first three-row electric SUV. The investment, which adds an additional $922 million to the $1.3 billion announced earlier this year, underscores the company’s ambitious push into the EV market. However, the arrival of this highly anticipated electric SUV has been delayed.
The new funding will be used to build a state-of-the-art paint shop at the Georgetown facility, one of Toyota’s largest manufacturing plants worldwide. The new facility will play a critical role in producing the upcoming SUV, which had originally been scheduled for production in 2025 but will now be delayed until the first half of 2026. This setback comes as Toyota recently informed suppliers that it would be slowing down the rollout of new electric vehicles, signaling a more cautious approach to its ambitious EV strategy.
Despite the delay, Toyota’s commitment to electrification is clear. The paint shop, set to open in 2027, will span 1 million square feet and incorporate advanced technologies designed to create dynamic and distinctive finishes for Toyota’s vehicles. Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky, emphasized that the new facility will not only enhance the aesthetic appeal of the company’s cars but also contribute to its sustainability goals. The new shop will reduce carbon emissions by 30% and cut water usage by 1.5 million gallons annually.
While the U.S. market will have to wait a bit longer for the debut of Toyota’s electric three-row SUV, the company isn’t slowing down its electric vehicle rollout entirely. In a separate announcement, Toyota unveiled its fully electric Land Cruiser EV, which is set to launch in Europe next year. The new model will be based on Suzuki’s EV platform and will be a slightly larger crossover SUV than the Yaris Cross.
With these investments, Toyota is positioning itself for a competitive future in the EV market, even as it faces challenges in meeting its ambitious production goals.
