Toyota's US Indiana assembly unit (TMMI) said it had spent an additional US$700m and added 150 new jobs to complete its modernisation project, announced in January 2017.
In total, the project added 550 new jobs and cost $1.3b which was used for retooling, new equipment installation and advanced manufacturing technology to further modernise the facility and meet strong demand for the redesigned 2020 Highlander SUV. Since 1996, Toyota Indiana's total investment is approximately $5bn and total employment exceeds 7,000. The plant has the capacity to assemble 420,000 vehicles annually.
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This new investment is part of a broader commitment from Toyota to invest $13bn in its US operations over a five year period through 2021. To date, Toyota has committed approximately $7.1bn of the announced total; cumulative direct investment in the US exceeds $28.4bn.
To improve the operational speed, competitiveness and transformation at its North American vehicle assembly plants based on platforms and common architectures, Toyota Motor North America, Inc. will complete the following changes by 2022.
- Toyota Indiana (Princeton)
TMMI will focus on production of mid-size SUVs and minivans including the Highlander, Highlander Hybrid and the Sienna. TMMI will cease production of the Sequoia by 2022
- Toyota Texas (San Antonio)
Toyota Texas (TMMTX) will focus on production of full size body on frame trucks and SUVs. It will continue to assemble the Tundra and will begin assembly of the Sequoia starting in 2022. TMMTX will cease production of the Tacoma by late 2021.
Production capacity at TMMTX remains at 208,000 units annually, and last summer, it announced a $391m new investment for multi vehicle production capabilities. The facility's total investment tops $3bn; employment is 3,200.
- Toyota Guanajuanto (Guanajuanto, Mexico)
Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Baja California (TMMBC) has been assembling Tacomas since 2004. In December 2019, Toyota Motor Manufacturing de Guanajuato (TMMGT) also began assembly of the Tacoma; both plants will continue to focus on production of mid-size trucks. Production capacity at TMMGT remains at 100,000 units per year; employment is 1,000.
As a result of these production changes, there will be no reduction to direct jobs at any of Toyota's facilities across North America, the automaker said.
