Source: Gasgoo
According to foreign media reports, as Toyota’s factory in Kentucky, USA, has received nearly $1 billion in funding, the company is preparing to produce its first three-row electric SUV in the United States. However, the new model will not be launched as soon as originally planned.
Following the announcement of an investment of $1.3 billion in February, Toyota announced on December 12th that it would invest an additional $922 million in its Georgetown, Kentucky factory to build a new paint shop.
Toyota has invested over $2 billion in its Kentucky plant this year alone, and the facility is currently preparing to start producing Toyota’s first three-row electric SUV.
Image Source: Toyota
Despite the fact that this electric SUV was originally scheduled to go into production in 2025, Toyota later pushed back the production date to the first half of 2026. Before that, Toyota informed suppliers to slow down the introduction of new electric vehicles.
As Toyota’s largest manufacturing plant globally, the Kentucky plant will be crucial for Toyota to keep up with the US electric vehicle transformation.
The new paint shop, which will come into operation in 2027, will adopt advanced technologies to help “TMC stand out.” Toyota Kentucky Factory President Kerry Creech said, “Our customers will not only get the dynamic and stylish exterior decorations they love, but Toyota’s commitment to advanced painting technology also goes beyond aesthetics.”
Toyota says that the new paint shop will add 1 million square feet (93,000 square meters) of space while reducing carbon emissions by 30%. Additionally, the new facility will reduce water usage by 1.5 million gallons per year.
Although Toyota has delayed the production of its large electric SUV in the US, European customers can expect the company to launch a new electric vehicle soon.
On December 12, Toyota unveiled the all-new electric Land Cruiser, a pure electric crossover SUV slightly larger than the Yaris Cross. The vehicle uses Suzuki’s new electric vehicle platform and will be launched in Europe next year.
