Production of this fifth-generation hybrid transaxle is part of Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to electrification.
The West Virginia plant assembles both engines and drivetrain components for Toyota’s North American operations and will be the only Toyota facility in North America to build this component. The plant has received over $300m in investments since 2021, and this is supporting production of the new hybrid transaxle that will be fitted to the all-new Toyota Camry and Corolla Cross models.
Since 2021, Toyota has announced new investments totalling more than $18.6 billion into its US manufacturing operations to support electrification efforts.
Recently Toyota announced a $531m investment to expand its San Antonio, Texas plant to produce drivetrain parts. At this point the company declined to comment on which components would be produced or on the timeline for start of production but noted that this investment would reinforce the plant’s flexibility with advanced manufacturing technologies supporting production capabilities across its North American operations.
The company has also invested in EV production at its Kentucky plant, which includes the addition of a new battery pack assembly line, while earlier this year Toyota Alabama launched i-FORCE 2.4L turbo engine line, which also supports the company’s hybrid powertrains.
Jason Puckett, President of Toyota Alabama, highlighted the importance of the i-FORCE 2.4-litre turbo engine line: “With the Tacoma now featuring a hybrid variant, every assembly line at our facility contributes engines for hybrid vehicles, underscoring our team’s instrumental role in Toyota’s electrified future.”
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