Toyota Motor Corp. has officially begun production at its $13.9 billion battery plant in North Carolina, marking a major milestone in its U.S. electrification strategy.
The Japanese automaker also confirmed plans to invest up to $10 billion over the next five years to expand its American manufacturing footprint — part of a broader effort to localize battery production and reduce reliance on imports.
🔹 Key Highlights
- ⚡ Plant investment: $13.9 billion
- 🏭 Location: Randolph County, North Carolina (Toyota’s 11th U.S. factory)
- 🔋 Capacity: 30 GWh annually at full operation
- 🧩 Production lines: 14 (for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric vehicles)
- 🚙 Battery models: Camry, Corolla Cross, RAV4, and a new 3-row all-electric SUV
The plant currently supplies hybrid batteries to Toyota’s factories in Kentucky and a Mazda-Toyota joint venture in Alabama.
🔹 Strategic Context
Toyota first unveiled the U.S. battery project in December 2021, underscoring its dual-track EV strategy — balancing hybrids and all-electric vehicles to meet diverse market demands.
In Japan last month, President Donald Trump highlighted Toyota’s $10 billion U.S. commitment, calling it “a strong signal of American industrial growth.”
“Go out and buy a Toyota,” Trump said, emphasizing his administration’s stance on boosting U.S.-based manufacturing while maintaining tariffs on foreign auto imports.
💡 Takeaway:
Toyota’s North Carolina facility reinforces its role as a bridge between hybrid efficiency and EV innovation, while cementing the U.S. as a key hub in the global battery supply chain.