BUFFALO, W.Va., Feb. 11, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Before the ink
dried on Toyota's November 2021
investment in hybrid transaxle production in West Virginia, the demand for the vehicle
electrification market was already growing.
To help meet that demand, today Toyota announced an additional
$90 million investment for two of its
U.S. manufacturing facilities:
- Toyota West Virginia
(TMMWV) - $73 million
This investment comes on the heels
of the $240 million investment
announced in November and will increase hybrid transaxle production
capacity to 600,000 units per year. With this funding, TMMWV will
also begin assembling an estimated 120,000 rear motor stators per
year, a key component in electric motors. Currently, a team of more
than 2,000 build approximately one million engines and
transmissions annually for many of Toyota's North
American-assembled vehicles. With today's announcement, Toyota has
invested more than $2 billion in its
West Virginia plant.
- Toyota Tennessee (TMMTN) -
$17 million
The Tennessee investment increases the plant's
capacity to cast hybrid transaxle cases and housings to 1.3 million
per year. The nearly 400 employees at TMMTN currently produce a
million transmission cases and housings and approximately 1.8
million engine blocks a year, parts needed for every Toyota and
Lexus vehicle manufactured in North
America. The added investment to the plant brings the
to-date total investment to $389
million.
"Toyota is moving quickly toward an electrified future, and
West Virginia will play a critical
role in that journey," said David
Rosier, president of TMMWV. "Our team embraces this
challenge, and it's clear Toyota has faith in our ability and
trusts us to take the company to new heights."
Toyota has committed to offering an electrified option across
its entire lineup of both Toyota and Lexus vehicles by 2025.
Advancing the production of electrified vehicles and their
components, including hybrid transaxles, plays an important part in
helping Toyota achieve its goals for carbon neutrality.
"Toyota Tennessee is proud to play an important role in our
company's mission to provide customers with safer, reliable,
electrified vehicles that advance a carbon-neutral future," said
Wes Woods, president of TMMTN.
"Our highly skilled team is excited to expand production of the
hybrid transaxle cases and housings."
What is A Hybrid Transaxle?
Hybrid electric vehicle systems combine two separate sources of
propulsion or motive power, such as an internal combustion engine
and an electric motor, to take advantage of their respective
benefits while also compensating for their respective limitations.
While hybrid systems are more complex than a conventional vehicle
and add vehicle mass due to the addition of components, the same
system allows the vehicle to be more energy efficient as the hybrid
transaxle can effectively transfer power seamlessly between the
engine, electric motor and wheels in any number of
combinations.
What is a Rear Motor Stator?
In an electric motor, the stator is a set of copper wire coils
assembled to a stack of steel plates. The stator provides a
magnetic field that drives the rotating arm and helps power the
vehicle.
Quotes from West Virginia's
elected officials:
Senator Joe Manchin, former
governor of West Virginia, had the
following thoughts on today's news.
"Toyota Manufacturing West Virginia has been a strong partner
for our state for 25 years. Today's announcement of a new
$83 million investment brings their
total investment in the Buffalo
plant to $533 million in the last 12
months and is yet another example of their commitment to growing
their business in the Mountain State," Manchin said. "I'm thrilled
West Virginians will continue to play a role in the future of
Toyota's manufacturing in the United
States, and I look forward to working with Toyota to
continue to grow their business in our state."
Senator Shelley Moore Capito
praised Toyota as well.
"West Virginia has a long and
productive relationship with Toyota," Senator Capito said. "Today's
announcement shows the company's continued commitment to investing
in our state and our workers. Not only is this investment great
news for West Virginia and the
hardworking individuals at the Buffalo facility, but it will also help
advance the company's production and fuel our economy. In the
meantime, I am committed to doing everything I can to make sure
this success continues. The Democrats' Build Back Better Act has a
discriminatory provision that would prioritize some American
workers over others, which is why I made my intentions known to put
forward an amendment that would eliminate this unfair special
interest subsidy should the Democrats' move forward with their
reckless tax-and-spend bill. It's critical that we create an
environment that allows our hardworking West Virginians to compete
on a level playing field, and I am committed to doing that so we
can celebrate more investments like this in the future."
Congresswoman Carol Miller lauded
Toyota for investing in West
Virginia.
"Toyota's $73 million commitment
exemplifies the great things that can happen because of the work
that's been done at all levels of government to make the Mountain
State the best place to do business," Miller said. "I applaud
Toyota for choosing to continue investing in West Virginia."
Congressman David McKinley noted
the company's commitment to the Mountain State.
"We are pleased that Toyota continues to show their commitment
to West Virginia by making a
$533 million in investments over the
last year in Buffalo, to enhance
high tech manufacturing capabilities in emerging automotive
technologies," McKinley said. "Toyota's investments ensures good
jobs are retained in our state, benefitting communities and
families across West
Virginia."
Congressman Alex Mooney praised
Toyota's faith in West
Virginia.
"I am pleased to see Toyota continue to make a substantial
investment in the great state of West
Virginia. Toyota continues to develop significant
improvements in powertrain technology and West Virginians are on
the front line of advancing the production of key components in
hybrid and electric vehicle," Mooney said. "I look forward to the
continued partnership between Toyota and our community in
West Virginia."
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 directly employs more than 39,000 people in the U.S.
who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of
nearly 32 million cars and trucks at our nine manufacturing
plants. By 2025, Toyota's 10th plant in North Carolina will begin to manufacture
automotive batteries for electrified vehicles. With more
electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, a
quarter of the company's 2021 U.S. sales were electrified.
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 virtually 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.
Media Contacts:
George Gannon, TMMWV
304-593-8096
george.gannon@toyota.com
Leah Almeling, TMMTN
636- 462-1071
leah.almeling@toyota.com
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SOURCE Toyota Motor North America