Toyota today announced that production is underway at the automaker's new battery plant in Liberty, North Carolina. The plant, Toyota's eleventh in the U.S. and its only battery plant outside of Japan, is a $14 billion facility that is expected to create up to 5,100 new American jobs. When the project was first announced in late 2021, it was a modest $1.3 billion project and 1,750 new jobs.
Toyota also committed up to $10 billion over the next five years to support future mobility efforts.
The 1,850-acre site is capable of producing 30 GWh annually at full capacity. It will serve as Toyota's hub for developing and producing lithium-ion batteries.
The plant will house 14 battery production lines supporting hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Toyota's North Carolina plant will house 14 battery production lines supporting hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs).
Batteries assembled at Toyota North Carolina are set to power the Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, RAV4 HEV, and a yet-to-be-announced all-electric 3-row BEV—the first of its kind for Toyota to be built in the U.S.
Currently, the plant ships HEV modules to both Toyota Kentucky and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Alabama. Additional production lines at Toyota North Carolina are set to launch by 2030.
Once construction is complete, the new facility will also feature employee amenities like on-site childcare, a pharmacy, a medical clinic and a fitness center.
Toyota's North Carolina plant ships HEV modules to both Toyota Kentucky and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Alabama.Toyota
During the ceremony, Toyota also announced the second phase of Driving Possibilities in Guilford County Schools and the Asheboro City School District, with a Toyota USA Foundation grant of an additional $2.7 million.
Driving Possibilities is a national STEM education initiative that brings together community, education leaders, local and national nonprofits, and industry partners to co-create programs that prepare young people for future STEM careers.
"This incredible gift will provide our students and their families with life-changing opportunities," said Wendy Poteat, president and CEO of shift_ed, a regional nonprofit. "Toyota has become a generous supporter and dedicated stakeholder in enriching our school districts by inspiring innovation and nurturing curiosity and creativity in our learners from classroom to career."
Driving Possibilities is funded by the Toyota USA Foundation, with additional support provided by Toyota Motor North America (TMNA) and Toyota Financial Services (TFS).
Batteries assembled at Toyota North Carolina are set to power the Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, RAV4 HEV, and a yet-to-be-announced all-electric 3-row BEV.Toyota
