Toyota Motor North America is expanding in Texas. The automaker recently announced it will invest $3.6 billion to expand its San Antonio manufacturing campus with a second vehicle assembly line to support the Tacoma truck.
In terms of jobs, it means 2,000 new, high-quality jobs at the plant. In terms of plant size, it will add 2.5 million square feet to Toyota Texas - doubling the plant's size by 2030. The process to transition Tacoma production from its plant in Baja California will take place over an approximate four-year period.
“Toyota’s continued investment in North America is a testament to our confidence in the region’s workforce, innovation and long-term growth potential,” said President and CEO Ted Ogawa, TMNA. “By expanding our San Antonio plant, we are deepening our commitment to American manufacturing, creating meaningful and sustainable jobs, while advancing our mission to deliver high-quality vehicles that meet the changing needs of customers today and into the future.”
Toyota says after a highly competitive process, this expansion highlights its commitment to Texas as a vital hub for automotive innovation and manufacturing excellence.
“Texas is where the world builds bigger, and Toyota shows it once more with a $3.6 billion expansion in San Antonio that doubles their factory footprint and creates 2,000 new jobs,” said Texas Governor Abbott. “This Texas-sized investment reflects the strength of our workforce and the unmatched business advantages found only in our state. Supported by the Texas Enterprise Fund and JETI program, this expansion will deliver economic opportunities to generations of San Antonio families and further cement Texas as the premier destination for world-class advanced manufacturing.”
Currently, Toyota builds the Tundra pickup and all-hybrid Sequoia SUV at the plant. Toyota says a new rear axle plant dedicated to drivetrain parts production is nearing startup.
“We are so proud of Team Texas and what they have accomplished over the past two decades,” said Frank Voss, group vice president of truck manufacturing, TMNA and president of Toyota Texas. “The 2,000 acres of South Texas ranchland our plant stands on today was purposefully selected for its ability to scale with vehicle demand, and today marks the first step toward realizing that potential. We’re excited to add the beloved Tacoma to our existing award-winning lineup, and we thank the State of Texas, Bexar County and City of San Antonio for their longstanding support.”
“San Antonio proudly hosts Toyota, and we’re excited to be selected for additional expansion,” said San Antonio Mayor Gina Ortiz Jones. “This is a significant recognition of the talent our city offers, as well as the investments our community is willing to make to support Toyota’s growth. We look forward to expanding the Toyota family in San Antonio.”
Toyota says this expansion brings its total investment in San Antonio to $8.3 billion since breaking ground in 2003. The automaker says the new facility will enable increased flexibility for the plant through advanced manufacturing technologies and will align with Toyota’s broader North American operations. Toyota says it remains committed to its operations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico and says it encourages a quick resolution to United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA) to make the North American region globally competitive.
“Toyota has been a loyal and dedicated partner in this community for two decades,” said Bexar County Judge Peter Sakai. “This is the plant’s second milestone investment in two years. Toyota continues to honor its commitments here, and this exciting initiative shows the confidence one of the world’s leading companies has in Bexar County today and in the future.”
Toyota says with the expansion its local workforce will climb to approximately 6,000 team members, supported by 23 on-site suppliers and their employees.