Toyota starts battery production at new $13.9 billion North Carolina factory

Toyota Motor North America announced November 12 it had started production at its new electric-vehicle battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina. According to a company statement, the factory is Toyota’s first battery plant outside of Japan. The plant, which cost $13.9 billion, will create 5,100 jobs, Toyota said. In its November 12 statement, the Japanese carmaker’s North American branch added it would spend $10 billion more in the U.S. through 2030 as it seeks to ramp up its electric vehicle business.

According to TMNA, the 1,850-acre factory features 14 battery production lines for standard hybrid, plug-in hybrid and battery electric vehicle batteries, including for Toyota’s Camry, Corolla Cross and RAV4 brands, and will reach 30 GWh of annual battery production once it reaches full capacity after additional production lines are added by 2030. The company added that it anticipates the site will become Toyota’s hub for battery manufacturing in the future.

Toyota also took the plant opening as an opportunity to announce it would spend $2.7 million from the Toyota USA Foundation on a grant for the Driving Possibilities national STEM education initiative for schools in the area.

What people are saying

“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, CEO, Toyota Motor North America. “Toyota is a pioneer in electrified vehicles, and the company’s significant manufacturing investment in the U.S. and North Carolina further solidifies our commitment to team members, customers, dealers, communities, and suppliers.”

“We’re excited to see this innovative facility come to life and to provide cutting-edge careers for more than 5,000 North Carolinians,” said Don Stewart, president of Toyota North Carolina. “Today’s celebration would not be complete without thanking our team members. Their dedication, commitment, and resolve have truly led us to this historic moment. We also are grateful for the support shown to us by the State of North Carolina, Randolph County, and the greater Triad region, a place we are all proud to call home.”

“Today marks a historic milestone as Toyota begins battery production right here in North Carolina,” said Gov. Josh Stein. “This groundbreaking investment will create more than 5,000 new jobs for North Carolinians and will strengthen our commitment to leading the way in both the automotive supply chain and the clean energy economy.”

Manufacturers investing in North Carolina

BorgWarner auto OEM to build new $75 million North Carolina plant
The auto parts manufacturer will create 193 new jobs at the plant, the governor’s office said.

Fujifilm Biotech opens new $3.2 billion factory in North Carolina
The site could employ as many as 1,400 by the 2030s.

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