Photo: Toyota
Toyota already has more than a dozen manufacturing plants across North America, the most recent one — established with Mazda — having just begun production in Alabama this year. But the automaker has plans for more. After announcing, in October, that it would invest $3.4 billion in U.S. battery production, Toyota has now revealed the location of its next U.S. plant, which will focus exclusively on making battery packs: North Carolina.
“North Carolina offers the right conditions for this investment, including the infrastructure, high-quality education system, access to a diverse and skilled workforce, and a welcoming environment for doing business,” said Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “Today marks the beginning of a mutually beneficial partnership with the Tar Heel state as we embark on our journey to achieve carbon neutrality and provide mobility for all.”
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The automaker expects Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina to begin production in 2025. It will have four production lines, each of which will be able to produce enough lithium-ion batteries for 200,000 vehicles. However, Toyota already has plans to add two additional production lines later on, increasing the battery output to support 1.2 million vehicles per year.
Toyota says it chose North Carolina for a variety of reasons including its “well-maintained highway system,” availability of renewable energy, “world-renowned education system,” and multiple airports and seaports.
The new plant represents a $1.29 billion investment, just over half of the $3.4 billion that Toyota is devoting to U.S. battery production. It will also lead to the creation of 1,750 new American jobs — though like the other states out of which Toyota operates, such as Mississippi and Kentucky, North Carolina is known for its low percentage of unionized workers.
Kurt Verlin was born in France and lives in the United States. Throughout his life he was always told French was the language of romance, but it was English he fell in love with. He likes cats, music, cars, 30 Rock, Formula 1, and pretending to be a race car driver in simulators; but most of all, he just likes to write about it all. See more articles by Kurt.
