Toyota’s first-ever U.S. battery plant is officially ready to roll. This massive investment signals Toyota’s commitment to electrifying its North American lineup and strengthening its position in the EV race.
Toyota Kicks Off Battery Production in North Carolina
Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina (TBMNC), the company’s first in-house battery plant outside Japan, is set to begin production in April. The nearly $14 billion facility will produce batteries for:
- Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs)
- Plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs)
- Battery electric vehicles (BEVs)
This plant is a game-changer. With 5,000 jobs created, Toyota is doubling down on U.S. manufacturing and localizing EV production to reduce reliance on overseas supply chains.
Toyota’s “Best-in-Town” Strategy
Toyota isn’t just building batteries—it’s investing in the community. The company’s multi-pathway strategy focuses on:
- Local production to meet regional demand
- Job creation to strengthen the U.S. economy
- Sustainability through electrification and innovation
So far, Toyota has invested $49 billion in the U.S., supporting over 280,000 jobs across the industry.
Toyota Expands EV Efforts in China
While Toyota ramps up battery production in the U.S., it’s also making bold moves in China. The company just signed a carbon neutrality agreement with the Shanghai municipal government and is launching a new wholly-owned EV company in Shanghai.
Plans include:
- A new Lexus BEV, set for production in 2027
- A 100,000-unit annual production goal
- 1,000 new jobs in the start-up phase
Toyota is betting big on hydrogen, autonomous driving, and battery recycling to meet China’s ambitious carbon neutrality goal by 2060.
What’s Next?
With a massive U.S. battery plant, a growing EV presence in China, and a commitment to localized production, Toyota is positioning itself as a global electrification powerhouse. Will this be enough to challenge Tesla and other EV leaders?
