On the Dash:
- Toyota has started production at its $13.9 billion North Carolina battery plant, its first U.S. battery facility outside Japan.
- The company plans to invest an additional $10 billion in U.S. operations over the next five years, bringing total U.S. investment to $60 billion.
- The facility will create over 5,000 jobs and produce batteries for hybrid and electric vehicles, including an upcoming all-electric three-row BEV.
Toyota Motor announced Wednesday that it has started production at its $13.9 billion battery facility in North Carolina and plans to invest an additional $10 billion in the United States over the next five years. These investments bring Toyota’s total U.S. investment to $60 billion over the past 70 years.
“Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our company’s history,” said Ted Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA).
The North Carolina facility is Toyota’s eleventh plant in the U.S. and the automaker’s sole battery plant outside Japan. It will produce up to 30 GWh annually at full capacity, with 14 battery production lines supporting lithium-ion batteries for electrified vehicles.
The batteries will supply Toyota factories in Kentucky and the Mazda Toyota joint-venture plant in Alabama. They will power the Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, RAV4 HEV and an upcoming all-electric three-row BEV.
Toyota says the plant will create more than 5,000 new jobs in North Carolina, with opportunities expected to grow as additional production lines come online by 2030.
In addition, Toyota announced a $2.7 million grant to support Driving Possibilities, a national STEM education initiative, benefiting Guilford County Schools and Asheboro City School District in North Carolina.
The battery plant marks a significant milestone in Toyota’s history and reinforces its commitment to continued investment in the United States.
