Toyota Starts Battery Production at US$14 Billion NC Plant

Toyota has begun battery production at its new US$14 billion facility in Liberty, North Carolina, marking its first battery plant outside Japan and its eleventh manufacturing site in the United States. The company said the project will create up to 5,100 jobs and serve as a core hub for lithium-ion battery development for its hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery-electric vehicle lineup. Toyota also announced an additional investment of up to US$10 billion over the next five years to support future mobility programs in the United States, bringing its total historical investment in the country to nearly US$60 billion.

“Our first US battery plant and the additional investment of up to US$10 billion mark a pivotal moment,” said Ted Ogawa, CEO, Toyota Motor North America. “This reinforces our commitment to our team members, customers, dealers, communities and suppliers.” The company said the 1,850-acre site is designed to produce 30 GWh annually when fully operational through 14 battery production lines.

US Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy said the nearly US$14 billion investment represents a turning point for the Piedmont Triad region. “The decision to expand production in North Carolina is the latest sign of confidence in this administration’s efforts to re-shore manufacturing, generate new well-paid jobs and inject billions into the economy,” Duffy said during the ceremony.

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein said the project strengthens the state’s automotive supply chain. “This investment will create more than 5,000 jobs and position North Carolina as a leader in clean-energy manufacturing,” he said.

Toyota said the plant is already supplying hybrid-electric modules to Toyota Kentucky and Mazda Toyota Manufacturing in Alabama. Batteries produced in Liberty will power models including the Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, RAV4 HEV and a new three-row battery-electric vehicle to be built in the US. Additional production lines are scheduled to come online through 2030. The company plans to include onsite services for workers such as childcare, a pharmacy, a medical clinic and a fitness center.

Toyota said it has sold more than 6.6 million electrified vehicles in the US since 2000 and now assembles 11 hybrid and plug-in hybrid models domestically as part of its strategy to build where it sells.