Toyota announced a $1.3 billion investment in its flagship Kentucky facility, to assemble an all-new, three-row battery electric SUV for the U.S. market. The announcement brings Toyota's total investment in the Kentucky plant to $10 billion.
The investment will support the previously revealed plans for future Battery Electric Vehicle (BEV) assembly at Toyota Kentucky. Additionally, it will establish a new battery pack assembly line within the facility, sourcing batteries from Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina.
Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear lauded the investment, highlighting Toyota's significant impact on the Bluegrass region and Scott County, and praising the company for setting high standards for quality jobs in the commonwealth.
Since its inception in 1986, Toyota Kentucky has been at the forefront of the automaker's North American operations, assembling popular Toyota nameplates, including the Camry, America's best-selling passenger car for 22 consecutive years. The plant's nearly 9,400 team members have been instrumental in Toyota's success.
“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to vehicle electrification and further reinvesting in our U.S. operations,” said Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky. “Generations of our team members helped prepare for this opportunity, and we will continue leading the charge into the future by remaining true to who we are as a company and putting our people first for generations to come.”
“Every investment Toyota makes is proof of its commitment to employees,” said Chris Cohelia, group leader at Toyota Kentucky. “I joined this company 26 years ago as a production team member. Job stability, competitive pay and opportunities for growth are all reasons I love working here. It’s also exciting to be a part of the team building Toyota’s first battery electric vehicle in North America.”
This investment is part of Toyota's broader initiative, where it has announced new investments totaling $17 billion into its U.S. manufacturing operations since 2021 to support electrification efforts.
