Toyota opens battery plant in US, confirms plans to invest up to $10 billion

Toyota Motor said Wednesday that it has started production at its $13.9 billion battery plant in North Carolina and confirmed that it plans to invest up to $10 billion in the US over the next five years.

The Japanese automaker announced plans to manufacture batteries for its hybrid and electric vehicles in December 2021. Toyota said the plant's batteries will power hybrid versions of the Camry, Corolla Cross, RAV4, and a yet-to-be-announced fully electric 3-row battery electric vehicle. The plant is producing hybrid batteries for factories in Kentucky and the Alabama-based Mazda Toyota joint venture.

The 1,850-acre plant—Toyota's 11th US factory—will be able to produce 30 GWh annually at full capacity and will have 14 battery production lines for hybrid, plug-in electric, and EV vehicles.

Last month in Japan, President Donald Trump said Toyota plans to invest $10 billion in the U.S. "Go buy a Toyota," Trump said, adding that he has been critical of Japanese and other auto importers and imposing heavy tariffs on imported vehicles.