Toyota has started production at its new battery manufacturing facility in Liberty, North Carolina. The $13.9 billion plant is Toyota’s eleventh in the United States and the first outside Japan dedicated to battery production. The facility is expected to create up to 5,100 jobs.
The company announced it will invest an additional $10 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, which will bring its total investment in the country to nearly $60 billion since operations began almost 70 years ago.
“Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our company’s history,” said Ted Ogawa, president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor North America (TMNA). “Toyota is a pioneer in electrified vehicles, and the company’s significant manufacturing investment in the U.S. and North Carolina further solidifies our commitment to team members, customers, dealers, communities, and suppliers.”
United States Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy commented on the impact for American manufacturing: “Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, America is open for business,” he said. “Toyota’s move to expand production in North Carolina is the latest show of confidence in this administration’s efforts to reshore manufacturing, generate new, great paying jobs, and inject billions of dollars into the economy. We’re just getting started!”
The site covers 1,850 acres and can produce 30 GWh annually when fully operational. It will focus on developing lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), battery electric vehicles (BEVs), and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Fourteen production lines are planned at full buildout.
Governor Josh Stein addressed local benefits: “Today marks a historic milestone as Toyota begins battery production right here in North Carolina,” he said. “This groundbreaking investment will create more than 5,000 new jobs for North Carolinians and will strengthen our commitment to leading the way in both the automotive supply chain and the clean energy economy.”
Batteries produced at this facility will power models including Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, RAV4 HEV as well as an upcoming three-row all-electric BEV model set for U.S. assembly.
Don Stewart, president of Toyota North Carolina stated: “We’re excited to see this innovative facility come to life and to provide cutting-edge careers for more than 5,000 North Carolinians… Their dedication, commitment, and resolve have truly led us to this historic moment.”
As part of its community involvement initiatives through workforce development partnerships with schools across the region—such as Driving Possibilities—Toyota announced a $2.7 million grant from its foundation during an event at Guilford County Schools and Asheboro City School Districts.
Wendy Poteat of shift_ed highlighted these contributions: “This incredible gift will provide our students and their families with life-changing opportunities,” she said. “Toyota has become a generous supporter… Programs like these are essential in closing opportunity and exposure gaps…”
Driving Possibilities receives funding from Toyota USA Foundation with support from TMNA and Toyota Financial Services.
Additional remarks came from Congressman Richard Hudson (“Toyota’s investment is great news for North Carolina…”) Senate President Phil Berger (“This is a monumental day for North Carolina…”) and House Speaker Destin Hall (“Toyota’s historic $13.9 billion investment…is a tremendous win…”).
Since 2000, Toyota has sold over 6.6 million electrified vehicles—including hybrids—in the U.S., where it now assembles eleven HEV/PHEV models domestically as part of efforts toward reducing carbon emissions.
