Toyota to invest $912 million into hybrid production, add jobs in Kentucky and 4 other plants

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Toyota plans to invest $912 million to expand production of hybrid vehicles in the U.S., and it will mean more jobs in Kentucky.

In a news release Tuesday, Toyota said the investment will bring 252 new jobs across five manufacturing plants to increase hybrid capacity and bring hybrid-electric Corollas to its production lineup. The company said it's reinvesting in plants in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, Tennessee and Missouri.

Toyota's facility in Georgetown, Kentucky, is the automaker's largest plant in the world. The company plans to invest $204.4 million in the plant to install an all-new machining line for 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, which would begin production in 2027 and add 82 new jobs. The powertrain facility in Georgetown can assemble up to 700,000 units annually. Toyota Kentucky employs nearly 10,000 team people. The company said it has invested more than $11 billion in the plant.

Toyota West Virginia will get the largest share of the investment, with $453 million to increase assembly of 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, sixth-generation hybrid transaxles and rear motor stators. The expansion will begin production in 2027.

Toyota's plant in Blue Springs, Mississippi, will receive $125 million to add the hybrid-electric Corolla, marking the first electrified Corollas assembled in the U.S. The plant employs 2,400 workers.

Toyota's casting plant in Jackson, Tennessee, will add 33 jobs to increase production of hybrid transaxle cases and housings and engine blocks for hybrid vehicles. The investment of $71.4 million includes three all-new production lines and will increase production capacity by nearly 500,000 units a year. Production on the new lines will start in 2027 and 2028.

In Missouri, Toyota's plant in Troy will receive a $57.1 million investment to add 57 jobs and a new cylinder head production line for hybrid vehicles. Production begins in 2027.

Toyota said Tuesday that it currently assembles about 76% of the vehicles it sells in the U.S. at its North American manufacturing facilities. The automaker employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S.

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