Toyota to spend $912 million, create 252 jobs with plant expansions in five states

Toyota USA announced November 18 that it would spend $912 million on expansions to plants in five U.S. states as part of a larger push to spend $10 billion domestically through 2030. The Japanese automaker said the latest round of investments would create 252 jobs in five states: West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri. The expansions are geared towards increasing U.S. production of hybrid vehicles and hybrid vehicle parts, including 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines and the company’s hybrid Corolla sedan.

Toyota’s Blue Springs, Mississippi plant will spend $125 million to add an assembly line for the hybrid Corolla. The company’s Buffalo, West Virginia, and Georgetown, Kentucky, plants will receive $453 million and $204 million to increase and add V4 engine production lines, respectively, and the Buffalo plant will also increase its production of hybrid transaxles and rear motor stators.

The company’s casting plants in Jackson, Tennessee and Troy, Missouri will build engine parts and housings for hybrid engines. Toyota will spend $71.4 million in Tennessee to increase production of housings and engine blocks for hybrid vehicles as well as hybrid transaxle cases, and $57.1 million in Missouri to add a new cylinder head production line for hybrid vehicles.

The investments, Toyota says, will create 82 jobs in Kentucky, 80 in West Virginia, 33 in Tennessee and 57 in Missouri.

What people are saying

“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 VP, manufacturing operations, Toyota USA. “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 $125 million investment is another tremendous win for our state,” said Mississippi Gov. Tate Reeves. “Mississippi’s manufacturing prowess is unmatched, and our people consistently deliver high-quality products to the marketplace. Thank you to Toyota for its continued commitment to our state.”

“Toyota’s continued investment in West Virginia demonstrates that our workforce, business climate, and communities deliver real results for companies,” said West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey. “This investment, which creates 80 new jobs for hard working West Virginians, reflects a strong confidence in our people and in the strength of our economy. We are proud to see Toyota continue to grow in the Mountain State as they build world-class technology and drive the future of American manufacturing. I want to thank Toyota for believing in our workers, our communities, and our shared future.”

“I want to thank Toyota for once again investing in our people and the company’s largest global manufacturing facility in Georgetown,” said Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear. “The Kentucky-Toyota partnership has driven decades of success, and I am proud to see that relationship grow even stronger.”

“Toyota’s continued investment in the Volunteer State is a testament to Tennessee’s unmatched business climate and highly skilled workforce,” said Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee. “As their operations grow, we’re proud that more Tennesseans will have the opportunity to build a career with one of the world’s leading manufacturers.”

 “We’re proud to see Toyota continuing to grow in our state through such a significant investment in the Troy facility,” said Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe. “This commitment is further proof of Missouri’s status as an ideal location for leading automotive manufacturers. We congratulate Toyota on its success and look forward to the ongoing benefits it will provide for hardworking Missourians in Troy.”

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