PRINCETON, Ind., April 28, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With its
25th anniversary right around the corner, Toyota Motor
Manufacturing, Indiana (TMMI) is
poised to celebrate with gusto as it announces an investment sure
to drive the team through the next 25 years and beyond.
Today, Toyota announced an $803
million investment and 1,400 new jobs at the Princeton, Ind., auto-manufacturing plant in
preparation to introduce two all-new, three-row SUVs designed with
the active Gen Y American Family in mind. What's more, only one
will bear the Toyota name. The other will officially introduce the
Lexus line to Toyota Indiana.
But, clout and luxury isn't all the investment will bring. While
these new vehicles will be announced at a later date, both will
join a diverse, electrified product portfolio and will help the
company get another step closer to Toyota's global aim towards
carbon neutrality by 2050—all this while furthering its mission of
mobility and happiness for all.
Speaking of happy, these new additions will have customers
bursting at the seams when they get a glimpse of the cutting-edge
technology featured in both vehicles. When on sale, customers can
expect a semi-automated driving system—which will allow for
hands-free driving in certain conditions—a remote parking system
allowing the driver to park and unpark from outside the vehicle
using a smartphone, and a digital key that turns a user's
smartphone into their key and allows them to share it digitally.
Both the Lexus and Toyota versions will offer seating for up to
eight passengers.
And, the Princeton automaker
aims to achieve this goal with not only the type of vehicles
produced but the production process itself. Toyota Indiana's environmental team has created
thousands of metric tons in CO2 savings for the plant and invested
over $4 million on CO2 reduction
projects with another $2.7 million
committed for the coming year. All of this ladders up to the
products Toyota produces.
"Over the past 20 years, Toyota has led the way with more
electrified vehicles on the road than all automakers
combined," said Ted Ogawa, president
and CEO of Toyota Motor North America. "This investment and new
vehicle line-up will allow us to continue our work with
electrification, expand our portfolio to around 70 models globally
by 2025, and meet the needs of our customers while we accelerate
towards carbon neutrality."
And, the team is well-positioned to take on this challenge. With
more than 7,000 employees already, the investment will add another
1,400 and cement its ability to take on two new vehicles.
"Selecting Toyota Indiana for this opportunity shows the
confidence Toyota has in our employees to take on new and exciting
challenges," said Leah Curry, TMMI
president. "Expanding our Toyota family by 1,400 is a challenge we
are eager to accept. This is a testament to the strong workforce in
the Southwest Indiana region.
We're waiting with open arms to welcome new people and products to
the family and can't wait to get started."
The $803 million investment will
be used to prepare the manufacturing line for the new vehicles,
production-employee training, as well as provide supplier
re-tooling at their facilities. Since the first Tundra—the original
TMMI vehicle—rolled off the production line in 1998, Toyota's total
investment in the Princeton site
is $6.6 billion. TMMI currently
assembles the all-hybrid Sienna minivan, Highlander/Highlander
Hybrid SUV and Sequoia full-size SUV, and has the capacity to
assemble more than 420,000 vehicles annually.
"Toyota has been an incredible partner to the state of
Indiana for nearly 25 years, and
we're thrilled to continue that partnership in order to drive our
economy forward," said Governor Eric J.
Holcomb. "Indiana is proud
to be home to the highest concentration of manufacturing jobs in
the nation, while providing a skilled workforce that is
contributing to the success of companies across a variety of
industries. I can't thank Toyota enough for the role they play in
the strength of our manufacturing sector."
You can find video footage for this announcement, here.
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE:TM) has been a part of
the cultural fabric in the U.S. for more than 60 years, and is
committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility
through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500
dealerships.
Toyota has created a tremendous value chain and directly
employs more than 36,000 in the U.S. The company has contributed
world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than 30
million cars and trucks at our 9 manufacturing plants, 10 including
our joint venture in Alabama that
begins production in 2021.
To help inspire the next generation for a career in
STEM-based fields, including mobility, Toyota launched its virtual
education hub at www.TourToyota.com with an immersive experience
and chance to visit many of our U.S. manufacturing facilities. The
hub also includes a series of free STEM-based lessons and
curriculum through Toyota USA
Foundation partners, virtual field trips and more. For more
information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.
About Lexus
Lexus' passion for brave design,
imaginative technology, and exhilarating performance enables the
luxury lifestyle brand to create amazing experiences for its
customers. Lexus began its journey in 1989 with two luxury sedans
and a commitment to pursue perfection. Since then, Lexus has
developed its lineup to meet the needs of global luxury customers
in more than 90 countries. In the United
States, Lexus vehicles are sold through 243 dealers offering
a full lineup of luxury vehicles. With six models incorporating
Lexus Hybrid Drive, Lexus is the luxury hybrid leader. Lexus also
offers eight F SPORT models and one F performance model. Lexus is
committed to being a visionary brand that anticipates the future
for luxury customers.
Media
Websites:
|
ToyotaNewsroom.com
|
|
LexusNewsroom.com
|
Media Contacts:
Stacy Carr
812-215-6381
stacy.carr@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America