Toyota has announced the start of production at its $13.9 billion battery plant in North Carolina. This significant investment marks the Japanese automaker’s accelerating efforts to support its hybrid and electric vehicle lineup. Initially revealed in December 2021, the new plant will produce batteries for hybrid versions of the Camry, Corolla Cross, RAV4, and an as-yet-undisclosed fully electric vehicle. These components will supply Toyota’s factories in Kentucky and its partnership facility with Mazda in Alabama.
“Over the next five years, we’ll be committing an additional $10 billion in investments in the United States to further expand our manufacturing capabilities, which will bring our total investment in this country to over $60 billion,” stated Ted Ogawa, president of Toyota Motor North America. This move is in line with industry trends where automakers are amplifying their electric vehicle production capabilities to meet both consumer demand and regulatory pressures.
The North Carolina facility, sprawling over 749 hectares, is poised to generate 30 GWh of energy annually when fully operational, featuring 14 production lines dedicated to plug-in hybrid and electric vehicle batteries. Eventually, it is expected to employ 5,000 individuals, significantly bolstering the local economy and labor market.
Though Toyota has been slower than some competitors to fully transition to electric vehicles, the company is swiftly converting its top-selling vehicles into hybrid versions. “We recognize there is no single path to progress,” Ogawa noted. “That’s why we are committed to a diversified approach, offering economical gasoline engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, and electric vehicles.” This approach not only aligns with diverse consumer preferences but also strategically conforms with evolving regulatory standards and environmental goals across the globe.
