Japan’s top automaker, Toyota Motor Corp., plans to delay the production of its first US-made electric vehicle (EV) to 2026.
The Japanese automaker planned to start producing its three-row, battery electric SUV in late 2025 at an assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky. Earlier this year, Toyota stated it would invest $1.3 billion in the Kentucky-based assembly plant to prepare the factory for EV production. The company has committed about $10 billion to the Kentucky plant already.
“Today’s announcement reflects our commitment to vehicle electrification and further reinvesting in our U.S. operations. Generations of our team members helped prepare for this opportunity, and we will continue leading the charge into the future by remaining true to who we are as a company and putting our people first for generations to come,” said the President of Toyota Kentucky, Kerry Creech, talking about the $1.3 billion investment in the Bluegrass state.
On Wednesday, October 2, 2024, a Toyota spokesperson shared that the company’s initial timeline has fallen behind a few months, pushing the start of producing the electric SUV into 2026.
The Japanese automaker also aims to produce a second all-electric SUV in Princeton, Indiana by late 2026. Toyota announced an investment of $1.4 billion for the factory in Indiana. It also invested $11.1 million to boost STEM programs in Indiana’s schools.
Despite the delay, Toyota plans to sell at least seven all-electric vehicles in the United States within the next two years. Currently, the company offers two all-electric cars in the United States: the five-seat Toyota bZ4X and Lexus RZ 450e. Both EVs Toyota sells in the United States are produced in Japan.
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