Toyota invests $912 million in American factories to increase production of hybrid cars

toyota motor On Tuesday, it announced plans to invest $912 million in U.S. factories in five Southern states as part of the company’s previously announced plan to invest up to $10 billion domestically by 2030.

The investments announced Tuesday are broadly aimed at supporting increased production of hybrid vehicles, which Toyota is leading with a market share of more than 51% during the third quarter of this year, according to Motor Intelligence data. Most of the investments are expected to be completed by 2027.

The largest investment announced Tuesday is $453 million at Toyota’s plant in Buffalo, West Virginia, to increase assembly of four-cylinder hybrid engines.

Other investments include $204.4 million in a plant in Georgetown, Kentucky, for four-cylinder hybrid engines and $125 million to expand Corolla production in Blue Springs, Mississippi, to include hybrid models.

The investments are expected to create 252 new jobs, according to Toyota, which is the second-largest seller of new cars in the United States after the United States. GM.

“Customers are embracing Toyota hybrid vehicles, and our U.S. manufacturing teams are preparing to meet this growing demand,” Kevin Voelkel, senior vice president of Toyota Motor Corporation’s North American manufacturing operations, said in a statement. “Toyota’s philosophy is to build where we sell, and by adding more American jobs and investing throughout our U.S. footprint, we continue to stay true to that philosophy.”

Tuesday’s news comes less than a week after the Japanese automaker confirmed plans announced by President Donald Trump last month to invest up to $10 billion more than previously expected over the next five years in the United States.

It also comes days after Toyota scion and Chairman Akio Toyoda wore a “Make America Great Again” hat and T-shirt carrying Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance as they hosted a racing event at Fuji Speedway in Japan.

Toyoda, a racer and car enthusiast, hosted US Ambassador George Glass at the event, which also included comments about tariffs, Automotive News reported on Sunday.

“I’m not here to argue about whether tariffs are good or bad. Every national leader wants to protect their auto industry,” Toyoda said. “We’re exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone. And the people we want most to be winners are our customers.”

Toyota and the entire auto industry are trying to navigate production plans amid regulatory changes affecting all-electric vehicles and Trump’s series of tariffs this year on new cars and auto parts.