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In a significant move towards bolstering its U.S. manufacturing presence, Toyota Motor has unveiled plans to infuse $912 million into its facilities located across five Southern states. This announcement, made on Tuesday, forms part of Toyota’s ambitious strategy to channel up to $10 billion into domestic operations by the year 2030.
This substantial investment is primarily aimed at accelerating the production of hybrid vehicles, an area where Toyota has established a commanding lead, with over 51% of the market share as of the third quarter this year, according to data from Motor Intelligence. The majority of these enhancements are expected to be realized by 2027.
The most significant portion of this investment will be directed towards Toyota’s plant in Buffalo, West Virginia. Here, $453 million will be allocated to ramp up the assembly of four-cylinder engines that are compatible with hybrid technology.
In addition to this, Toyota plans to inject $204.4 million into its Georgetown, Kentucky, plant, enhancing its capacity to produce four-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines. Further, the Blue Springs, Mississippi, facility will see a $125 million expansion, enabling it to include hybrid models in its Corolla production line.
The largest investment announced Tuesday is $453 million in Toyota’s Buffalo, West Virginia, plant to increase assembly of four-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines.
Other investments include $204.4 million in a plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, for four-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines and $125 million to expand Corolla production in Blue Springs, Mississippi, to include hybrid models.
The investments are expected to create 252 new jobs, according to Toyota, which is the second-largest seller of new vehicles in the U.S. behind General Motors.
“Customers are embracing Toyota’s hybrid vehicles, and our U.S. manufacturing teams are gearing up to meet that growing demand,” Kevin Voelkel, Toyota Motor North America senior vice president of manufacturing operations, said in a release. “Toyota’s philosophy is to build where we sell, and by adding more American jobs and investing across our U.S. footprint, we continue to stay true to that philosophy.”
Tuesday’s news comes less than a week after the Japanese automaker confirmed plans that were announced last month by President Donald Trump to invest up to $10 billion more than previously expected over the next five years in the U.S.
It also comes days after Toyota scion and Chairman Akio Toyoda reportedly wore a “Make America Great Again” hat and T-shirt featuring Trump and Vice President JD Vance while hosting a racing event at the Fuji Speedway in Japan.
Automotive News on Sunday reported Toyoda, a racer and car enthusiast, hosted U.S. Ambassador George Glass at the event, which also included comments about tariffs.
“I’m not here to argue whether tariffs are good or bad. Every national leader wants to protect their own auto industry,” Toyoda reportedly said. “We are exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone. The people we want most to be winners are our customers.”
Toyota and the entire automotive industry have been trying to navigate production plans amid regulatory changes impacting all-electric vehicles and Trump’s litany of tariffs this year on new vehicles and auto parts.
