Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Alabama, celebrated the start of the twin-turbo V-6 engine line in Huntsville today.
Toyota Alabama is the exclusive producer of the IFORCE Max twin-turbo V-6 engine and the twin-turbo hybrid V-6 engine in North America that will go into the 2022 Toyota Tundra. This announcement comes in Toyota’s 20th year in Huntsville.
Gov. Kay Ivey, along with the mayors of Huntsville and Madison, and others were on hand to see and hear the first twin-turbo V6 engine in a 2022 Toyota Tundra.
“I am more than excited to see what is to come,” Ivey said of Toyota’s and the automotive industry’s impact on the state.
Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle pointed out that this marks the seventh expansion of the Toyota engine plant in Huntsville, a $1.2 billion investment in Alabama so far. With this latest $288 million investment, the plant can now produce up to 900,000 engines a year.
Toyota Alabama President Jason Puckett said, “One-third of all Toyota vehicles engines in North America are made here in Huntsville. Last year we produced more than 500,000 engines and we are forecasted to produce 700,000 engines this year.”
The twin-turbo V6 production line is 142 yards long, the longest for Toyota in North America.
In honor of the 20th anniversary celebration of the plant and the start of the twin-turbo engine production, Toyota Alabama presented donations to two local agencies. Singing River Trail and Village of Promise both received a $25,000 check. Singing River Trail is establishing a 180-mile bike/run/walk trail across North Alabama, from Huntsville to Athens. Village of Promise is a family advancement center that helps address issues, such as poverty and education, facing children and families in Huntsville. The Toyota donation will be used to help support an early childhood education center.
Toyota Motor North America also announced today that it will invest $3.4 billion in automotive battery production in the U.S. through 2030, including building an automotive battery production plant with Toyota Tsusho in the U.S.
The new joint company is aiming to start production in 2025, an investment of approximately $1.29 billion until 2031, which includes funds that will be used to develop land and build facilities, resulting in the creation of 1,750 new American jobs.
“Toyota’s commitment to electrification is about achieving long-term sustainability for the environment, American jobs and consumers,” said Ted Ogawa, CEO of Toyota Motor North America. “This investment will help usher in more affordable electrified vehicles for U.S. consumers, significantly reduce carbon emissions, and importantly, create even more American jobs tied to the future of mobility.”
Part of the company’s activities will include helping Toyota to further develop and expand its local supply chain and production knowledge related to lithium-ion automotive batteries, with the venture first focusing on producing batteries to hybrid electric vehicles.
