Toyota Expands Commitment to Electric Vehicles with U.S. Production and Battery Investment.
In a significant move towards reducing carbon emissions and promoting vehicle electrification, Toyota has announced its plans to assemble a brand-new, three-row, battery electric SUV at the Toyota Kentucky plant starting in 2025. This will mark the company’s first U.S.-assembled battery electric vehicle (BEV), which will be powered by batteries manufactured at the Toyota North Carolina facility. To further support its drive towards carbon neutrality, the new battery plant in North Carolina will receive an additional investment of $2.1 billion.
Toyota Motor North America’s President and CEO, Ted Ogawa, expressed the company’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions and providing customers with a diverse range of options that cater to their present and future needs. The collaboration between Toyota Kentucky and Toyota North Carolina in producing BEVs and batteries for an expanding electrified lineup is a promising step towards a sustainable future.
Toyota Kentucky, known for its excellence in vehicle manufacturing, will lead the company’s efforts in reducing vehicle carbon footprint by producing the first U.S.-assembled BEV, a spacious 3-row SUV. Susan Elkington, President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, emphasized the dedication of the skilled workforce in Kentucky to deliver exceptional quality and reliability that customers expect.
The decision to assemble a BEV in the United States underscores Toyota’s belief in the potential of electric vehicles and its commitment to designing, engineering, and producing vehicles tailored to the market’s demands. Governor Andy Beshear of Kentucky commended Toyota’s contribution to the state’s automotive industry and expressed his excitement about Kentucky’s position as a center of the electric vehicle sector.
Toyota’s investment of $2.1 billion in the North Carolina battery manufacturing plant reflects its commitment to developing the necessary infrastructure for future expansion. The company’s total investment in Toyota North Carolina now amounts to an impressive $5.9 billion. Governor Roy Cooper of North Carolina applauded Toyota’s substantial investment and recognized the state’s position as a leader in the clean energy economy. The new facility in North Carolina will serve as Toyota’s hub for the development and production of lithium-ion batteries, which will power its expanding range of electrified vehicles. The Liberty plant is set to commence production in 2025, equipped with six battery production lines, four for hybrid electric vehicles and two for BEVs.
Sean Suggs, President of Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina, expressed enthusiasm about the future prospects for Toyota in North Carolina. With proactive infrastructure investment, the company will be well-positioned to meet growing customer demand and support future expansion opportunities.
The expansion of Toyota’s presence in North Carolina not only strengthens the state’s manufacturing sector but also highlights the collaborative partnership between Toyota and the state. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger acknowledged the transformative partnership between Toyota and North Carolina, attributing it to the state’s business-friendly reforms. Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives, Tim Moore, affirmed the recognition of North Carolina as an ideal location for companies of all sizes to thrive, emphasizing Toyota’s ongoing investment as a testament to the state’s business appeal.
Toyota’s commitment to electrification has made it a clear leader in the industry. With over 23 million electrified vehicles on the road globally, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids, fuel cell electric vehicles, and battery electric vehicles, Toyota has surpassed all other automakers combined. Currently, the company offers the most extensive range of 22 electrified vehicle options across the Toyota and Lexus brands in the U.S., and it aims to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus model worldwide by 2025.
Over the past two years, Toyota has invested over $8 billion in its U.S. manufacturing operations to support its electrification initiatives and product development. This substantial commitment underscores Toyota’s dedication to advancing sustainable mobility and shaping the future of transportation.
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