Toyota is investing $ 461 million in its first U.S. plant to add new technology, increase manufacturing flexibility and reduce its carbon footprint, the company said on Friday.
The announcement didn’t include new jobs at the central Kentucky facility, but officials said 1,400 temporary jobs would be converted to permanent positions to improve recruitment, retain top talent, and create a more inclusive work environment.
Plans include upgrading the Georgetown facility with advanced manufacturing facilities and technologies that will increase speed, flexibility and competitiveness, the statement said. These include improvements to expand the facility’s ability to manufacture new electrical products.
The company also plans to add a 2.4-liter turbo engine line that will help expand the range of vehicles produced in North America.
Toyota’s manufacturing facility in Georgetown, Ky.(Toyota)
“As Toyota’s most experienced assembly plant in the US with approximately 9,000 employees, TMMK must change physically and strategically to meet changing customer needs,” said Susan Elkington, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear praised the announcement, saying the state looks forward to “being a part of Toyota’s future of electrification.”
The plant will continue to build the Camry, Camry Hybrid and RAV4 Hybrid, but production of the Lexus ES and Lexus ES Hybrid will move back to Japan in 2024.
The plant began its transformation in 2017 with a $ 1.3 billion investment to equip the plant with the Toyota New Global Architecture manufacturing platform and a new paint shop.
The Associated Press
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