Toyota announces BEV production in the US
Toyota will produce its first BEV model in the US in 2025. It will be a completely new model: a three-row, battery-electric SUV.
The carmaker has yet to give any information about the new electric vehicle. What is known is that the EV production will take place in Kentucky. The Japanese business newspaper Nikkei reported in February that more than 10,000 medium to large electric SUVs would come off the production line there per month. However, that has yet to be confirmed.
“Toyota Kentucky set the standard for Toyota vehicle manufacturing in the US and now we’re leading the charge with BEVs”, says Susan Elkington, president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky. “Our incredible team of Kentuckians is excited to take on this new challenge while delivering the same great quality and reliability that our customers expect.”
The batteries for the SUV will be manufactured in North Carolina. Toyota’s battery plant in Liberty is still under construction, with production scheduled to kick off in 2025. The Japanese carmaker now says it will invest an additional $2.1 billion there. Since the site was first announced in 2021, Toyota has invested nearly $6 billion in South Carolina.
“The future is bright at Toyota North Carolina”, says Sean Suggs, president, Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina. “With this proactive infrastructure investment, we will be able to quickly support future expansion opportunities to meet growing customer need.”
The site will have six production lines – four for hybrids and two for battery electric vehicles. The factory will be its hub for developing and producing lithium-ion batteries, which Toyota needs for its growing portfolio of electrified vehicles.
By 2025, the company plans to have an electrified option available for every Toyota and Lexus model globally, although that includes hybrid options. The US production of up to 120,000 BEV cars per year is part of Toyota’s plan to increase global output to one million electric vehicles by 2026.
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