LIBERTY, N.C. — Toyota has officially launched production at its new $13.9 billion battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina, a major expansion of the automaker’s U.S. manufacturing operations and a cornerstone of its electrification strategy.
Alongside the plant’s opening, Toyota announced an additional $10 billion investment in its U.S. operations over the next five years, bringing its total investment in the country to nearly $60 billion since it began operating in the U.S. nearly 70 years ago.
The 1,850-acre facility in Liberty is Toyota’s first battery manufacturing plant outside Japan. Once fully operational, it will produce up to 30 gigawatt-hours of lithium-ion batteries annually, supplying the company’s lineup of hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and fully electric vehicles.
“Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and our expanded investment represent a pivotal moment in our company’s history,” said Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “This facility underscores Toyota’s long-term commitment to U.S. manufacturing, innovation, and the communities where we operate.”
The plant is expected to create up to 5,100 new jobs and features 14 production lines that will build batteries for the Camry HEV, Corolla Cross HEV, RAV4 HEV, and Toyota’s first U.S.-built all-electric three-row SUV. Additional production capacity is planned by 2030 as demand for electrified vehicles continues to rise.
In addition to manufacturing, the site will include a range of amenities designed to support workers, including childcare services, a medical clinic, pharmacy, and fitness center.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy praised the investment, calling it a sign of confidence in American manufacturing.
“Under President Donald Trump’s leadership, America is open for business,” Duffy said in a statement. “Toyota’s expansion will create thousands of good-paying jobs and inject billions into the U.S. economy.”
Toyota’s North Carolina facility is part of the company’s broader strategy to expand electric and hybrid production capacity worldwide, reflecting growing consumer demand and tightening global emissions standards.
