Toyota has begun production at its Liberty, North Carolina battery plant, the company’s first battery‑manufacturing facility outside Japan. The 1.4‑million‑square‑foot complex, built for $13.9 billion, is designed to produce 30 GWh of lithium‑ion battery capacity annually once fully ramped, with 14 production lines that will supply hybrid, plug‑in‑hybrid and future all‑electric vehicle platforms.
The plant’s launch is a key element of Toyota’s “multi‑pathway” electrification strategy, which prioritizes hybrids while building capacity for battery‑electric vehicles (BEVs). The facility will ship hybrid electric‑vehicle modules to Toyota’s Kentucky and Alabama plants, supporting the company’s current hybrid lineup, and will also produce batteries for a forthcoming U.S.‑assembled three‑row BEV SUV, positioning Toyota to capture a growing BEV market share in the United States.
Toyota’s investment in the North Carolina plant is part of a broader $10 billion commitment over the next five years, bringing total U.S. investment to nearly $60 billion. The additional capital will fund future mobility initiatives, including research and development, new plant construction, and technology upgrades, underscoring the company’s long‑term focus on domestic manufacturing and supply‑chain resilience.
The plant is expected to create up to 5,100 new jobs in the region, a figure that aligns with state and federal economic‑development goals. Governor Josh Stein highlighted the project’s role in strengthening North Carolina’s clean‑energy economy, while Toyota’s President and CEO of North America, Ted Ogawa, emphasized the plant’s importance for “team members, customers, dealers, communities, and suppliers.”
Toyota’s market reaction to the announcement was modest, with the company’s stock rising 0.5% in early trading. The modest lift reflects investor confidence in Toyota’s expanded U.S. manufacturing footprint and its commitment to electrification, but also signals that the market views the plant as a strategic, long‑term investment rather than an immediate earnings driver.
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