Toyota keeps betting on hybrid vehicles in the US

Toyota announced a $912 million investment to expand hybrid vehicle production across five U.S. factories in West Virginia, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Missouri. This move is part of Toyota’s broader plan to invest up to $10 billion in the U.S. over the next five years, aiming to meet growing demand for hybrid vehicles, where Toyota holds a market-leading position. The investment focuses on adding new production lines for hybrid components, reflecting the company’s continued commitment to hybrid technology amid challenges such as tariffs and the expiration of federal EV tax credits. Significantly, about $125 million will enable the production of a hybrid-electric Toyota Corolla, marking the first time this model will be assembled in the U.S. The largest portion of the investment, approximately $453 million, is allocated to Toyota’s Buffalo, West Virginia plant to expand production of 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, sixth-generation hybrid transaxles, and rear motor components known as stators. This strategic expansion underscores Toyota’s confidence in hybrids as