Toyota to invest $383-M for production of hybrid vehicle engines in US

MANILA: Advancing the company’s commitment to vehicle electrification, Toyota will invest US$383 million in four of its U.S. manufacturing plants that build the heart of new Toyota and Lexus vehicles.

“Toyota customers want vehicles that are fuel-efficient and electrified,” Toyota Senior Vice President for Unit Manufacturing and Engineering Norm Bafunno stated. “These investments allow us to meet customer needs and quickly respond to an evolving market." 

The new investment supports the production of four-cylinder engines, including options for hybrid electric vehicles, at Toyota's Alabama, Kentucky, Missouri, and Tennessee plants.

Toyota Alabama will create a new four-cylinder production line with the capacity to produce engines for both combustion and hybrid electric powertrains.

Additionally, the facility will expand its footprint by 114,000 square feet, which marks the plant’s sixth building expansion since 2003. Toyota Alabama has the capacity to build 900,000 engines annually and represents a nearly US$222-million investment. 

Toyota Kentucky is expanding flexibility of the four-cylinder engine line, which will better position the plant to meet customer demand. The plant’s powertrain facility can produce up to 600,000 units annually.

Toyota Kentucky is the company’s largest plant globally, producing seven Toyota and Lexus models, as well as four-cylinder and six-cylinder powertrains. Overall, the plant represents a US$16-million investment.

Meanwhile, Toyota Missouri’s investment provides new equipment to build four-cylinder engine heads on three production lines. The plant has the capacity to build more than three million cylinder heads annually and represents a US$109-million investment.

Toyota Tennessee will update equipment to build new four-cylinder engine blocks. The plant has the capacity to produce more than two million engine blocks annually and represents a US$36-million investment.

Photos from Toyota USA

Also read: Toyota accelerates commitment to carbon-neutrality with launch of all-electric bZ4X