Toyota Boosts Hybrid Production in US With $912 Million Investment

Toyota’s U.S. manufacturing presence is expanding again to meet growing demand for hybrid vehicles, company officials stated in a press release. As a part of Toyota’s recent commitment to invest up to $10 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, the company announced a $912 million investment and 252 new jobs across five manufacturing plants to increase hybrid capacity and bring hybrid-electric Corollas to its production lineup.

This investment in Toyota’s plants in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri further builds on the company’s ongoing commitment to reinvesting profits in its U.S. operations, noted the release.

“Customers are embracing Toyota’s hybrid vehicles, and our U.S. manufacturing teams are gearing up to meet that growing demand,” said Kevin Voelkel, senior vice president, manufacturing operations. “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.”

Toyota’s State-by-State Investments

Toyota West Virginia: $453 Million, 80 Jobs

Toyota’s Buffalo, West Virginia, plant will add 80 jobs to increase assembly of 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, sixth-generation hybrid transaxles and rear motor stators. The expansion, which will begin production in 2027, also includes new shift patterns for greater efficiency. Toyota West Virginia assembles more than one million engines, transmissions and hybrid transaxles annually and represents a $3.3 billion investment, the company said.

Toyota Kentucky: $204.4 Million, 82 Jobs

Located in Georgetown, Kentucky, Toyota’s largest plant globally will add 82 jobs and install an all-new machining line for 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines by 2027. Toyota says the powertrain facility can assemble up to 700,000 units annually. Toyota Kentucky employs nearly 10,000 team members and represents an investment exceeding $11 billion.

Toyota Mississippi: $125 Million

Toyota’s Blue Springs, Mississippi, plant will add the hybrid-electric Corolla, marking the first electrified Corollas assembled in the U.S. The plant employs 2,400 people and represents a $1.3 billion investment.

Toyota Tennessee: $71.4 Million, 33 Jobs

Toyota’s casting plant in Jackson, Tennessee, will add 33 jobs to increase production of hybrid transaxle cases and housings and engine blocks for hybrid vehicles. The investment includes three all-new production lines and will increase production capacity by nearly 500,000 units annually. Production on the new lines will start in 2027 and 2028. The plant represents a $497 million investment.

Toyota Missouri: $57.1 Million, 57 Jobs

Toyota’s casting plant in Troy, Missouri, will add 57 jobs and a new cylinder head production line for hybrid vehicles. The new line, which will start production in 2027, will increase plant capacity by more than 200,000 cylinder heads annually and bring the total investment to $629 million.

Toyota’s Commitment to the US

Toyota says this investment supports its broader goal to invest up to $10 billion over five years in U.S. manufacturing. Currently, Toyota assembles about half of the vehicles it sells in the U.S., with North American manufacturing facilities assembling more than three-quarters (76%) of the vehicles it sells in the U.S.

Toyota’s multi-pathway powertrain approach continues to drive steady growth in electrified vehicles, including hybrids, plug-ins and all-electric, which now account for nearly 50% of the company’s U.S. sales, officials stated.

“We’re proud of our plant’s continued growth and honored to help lead Toyota’s transition into a mobility company,” said Alivia Luikart, team member, Toyota West Virginia. “Our future is bright, and it’s rewarding to know that our company has faith in our ability and trusts our team to drive Toyota forward.”

Toyota’s Driving Possibilities Initiative

Beyond its manufacturing investments, Toyota says that it is also actively preparing the workforce of the future. The Toyota USA Foundation recently launched Driving Possibilities, a $110 million initiative to support pre-K through K-12 education and beyond. The long-term program aims to close educational gaps through innovative, hands-on STEM learning while addressing the essential needs of students and families.