Toyota invests another $1.3 billion for EV production in Kentucky

Enlarge / Toyota Kentucky currently churns out Camry sedans, but from next year it will also make electric vehicles. (credit: Toyota)

Toyota's factory in Georgetown, Kentucky, is getting an additional $1.3 billion investment, the automaker says. Last year it announced that the Georgetown plant would build its forthcoming three-row electric SUV; now it says it's also adding a battery pack assembly line, among other improvements.

"Today's announcement reflects our commitment to vehicle electrification and further reinvesting in our US operations," said Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky. "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."

Toyota has lagged behind industry rivals in its electrification plans; here in the US its sole battery EV offering is the stolid bZ4x electric crossover. The company's slow-rolling of EVs led to a change of leadership in 2023 as Akio Toyoda was replaced as CEO by former Lexus head Koji Sato.