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Toyota Motor Corporation has announced an additional investment of up to $10 billion in the United States during the next five years. This will bring the company’s total U.S. investment to ~$60 billion since beginning operations in the U.S. about 70 years ago. [The cost of taxpayer subsidies via federal, state and local incentives was not disclosed. Nor was it clear if this is an announcement of a planned expansion that was in the works before Trump’s tariff chaos began – AutoCrat] Toyota yesterday held an opening ceremony for Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina (TBMNC). Now officially starting production, the facility was established in November 2021 as Toyota’s first in-house battery manufacturing company outside Japan. TBMNC is Toyota’s 11th manufacturing facility in the U.S., representing an investment of ~$14 billion and the creation of up to 5100 new jobs.
“Today’s launch of Toyota’s first U.S. battery plant and additional U.S. investment up to $10 billion marks a pivotal moment in our company’s history. Toyota is a pioneer in electrified vehicles, and the company’s significant manufacturing investment in the U.S. and North Carolina further solidifies our commitment to team members, customers, dealers, communities, and suppliers,” said Tetsuo Ogawa, president and chief executive officer, Toyota Motor North America. Continue reading
Milestones – Audi F1 at Munich Brand Experience Center
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More than three months before its first race in Formula 1, Audi provided a preview of its presence at its Brand Experience Center in Munich.* Just like in future production models, Audi will bring uncompromising clarity to the racetrack and beyond. Carefully crafted statements [promotional messages? – AutoCrat] were made by Audi CEO Gernot Döllner, the Head of Audi F1 Project Mattia Binotto, Team Principal Jonathan Wheatley, and Audi Chief Creative Officer Massimo Frascella.
“Our entry into Formula 1 is part of something bigger. It’s the next step in the company’s renewal, designed to strengthen our competitiveness on the global stage. In Formula 1, every second counts. Success demands performance, precision and teamwork. This mindset will drive a new performance culture across the entire company and a catalyst for change towards a leaner, faster, and more innovative Audi,” said Audi CEO Gernot Döllner. Continue reading →