Two Toyota plants will receive $90 million in order to increase hybrid transaxle and engine capacity.
BUFFALO, W.Va. (Feb. 11, 2022) – The demand for car electrification was already expanding before the ink on Toyota’s November 2021 investment in hybrid transaxle manufacture in West Virginia dried.
To assist satisfy that demand, Toyota said today that it will invest an additional $90 million in two of its U.S. production facilities:
Toyota West Virginia (TMMWV) – $73 million:
This investment follows a $240 million investment announced in November, which will boost hybrid transaxle output to 600,000 units per year. TMMWV will also begin assembling an estimated 120,000 rear motor stators per year with this investment. Rear motor stators are a vital component in electric motors. A crew of about 2,000 people currently builds about one million engines and transmissions per year for many of Toyota’s North American-assembled automobiles. Toyota has committed more than $2 billion in its West Virginia facility, as per today’s announcement.
Toyota Tennessee (TMMTN) – $17 million
The investment in Tennessee boosts the plant’s capacity to 1.3 million hybrid transaxle cases and housings per year. TMMTN employs roughly 400 people and produces a million transmission cases and housings and 1.8 million engine blocks each year, which are required parts for every Toyota and Lexus vehicle sold in North America. The additional expenditure raises the overall investment in the plant 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.”
By 2025, Toyota plans to provide electric vehicles throughout its complete portfolio of Toyota and Lexus automobiles. Increasing the production of electric vehicles and associated components, such as hybrid transaxles, is critical in helping Toyota meet its carbon-neutral ambitions.
“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 independent sources of propulsion or motive power, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, to profit from their individual advantages while accounting for their respective limits. While hybrid systems are more complex than traditional vehicles and add vehicle bulk due to the inclusion of components, the hybrid transaxle may effectively transmit power between the engine, electric motor, and wheels in any number of combinations, allowing the vehicle to be more energy efficient.
What is a Rear Motor Stator?
The stator of an electric motor is made up of copper wire coils attached to a stack of steel plates. The stator generates a magnetic field that powers the vehicle by driving the rotating arm.
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 ensure 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 vehicles,” Mooney said. “I look forward to the continued partnership between Toyota and our community in West Virginia.”
Source: Toyota