The new Toyota factory in the USA has started operation. Hybrids and electric cars in the spotlight
Toyota revealed the first plans to build the plant in December 2021. The new complex will produce batteries for hybrid and electric models, including: Camry, Corolla Cross, RAV4 and a new, yet to be revealed, three-row electric SUV. The batteries produced in North Carolina will be shipped to Toyota plants in Kentucky and to a joint plant with Mazda in Alabama.
“We plan to invest $10 billion in additional investments in the U.S. over the next five years to further expand our manufacturing capabilities. This will bring our total investment in the country to more than $60 billion.” said Ted Ogawa, president of Toyota Motor North America.
A new factory, thousands of jobs and ambitious plans
As Reuters writes, a bet that is the eleventh Toyota factory in the USAcovers an area of approx 749 hectares. Once it reaches full production capacity, it will be able to produce 30 GWh per year and will accommodate 14 battery production lines for plug-in hybrids and fully electric vehicles. He will find employment there about 5 thousand people.
During a recent visit to Japan US President Donald Trump reported that Toyota plans to invest $10 billion in the United States, adding: “Go out and buy a Toyota.” Trump has been criticizing car imports from Japan and other countries for years, imposing high tariffs on them.
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Toyota focuses on hybrids
Toyota has long been one of the slowest manufacturers to transition to fully electric drives, but it is intensively developing the technology hybrid in its most popular models.
“We know there is no single path to progress. That's why we remain committed to our multi-path strategy, offering high-efficiency combustion engines, hybrids, plug-in hybrids, electric and hydrogen vehicles,” Ogawa noted.
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Changing the U.S. government's approach to emissions standards
As Reuters reminds, other concerns – such as Volkswagen — have also announced plans to increase hybrid production, especially after the Trump administration eliminated tax breaks for electric cars and penalties were abolished motivating manufacturers to sell more EVs.
During the same event Transport Secretary Sean Duffy announced the relaxation of fuel consumption standards, claiming that previous regulations were “too ambitious”. In January, he signed an executive order withdrawal of emission standards introduced by the administration Joe Biden for model years 2022–2031, which were intended to significantly reduce fuel consumption in cars and trucks.
