SAN ANTONIO, TEXAS—Toyota announced a $3.6 billion investment to expand its manufacturing complex in San Antonio, Texas, where it will build a new assembly line for the production of the Tacoma pickup truck, among other vehicles.
The expansion includes a new facility of approximately 2.5
million square feet, scheduled to begin operations in 2030, and will create
more than 2,000 new jobs. The investment will also increase the plant's
production capacity by about 150,000 vehicles annually.
As part of the project, Toyota will gradually transfer
Tacoma production from its Baja California, Mexico, plant to Texas. The
transition will take place over approximately four years.
This move represents a significant shift in the Japanese
automaker's North American production strategy. However, this does not mean
Toyota will abandon Tacoma production in Mexico, as the company will continue
manufacturing this model at its Guanajuato plant.
Toyota stated that the new investment aims to strengthen its
local production capacity and maintain a competitive manufacturing system in
the United States. The company already has operations in San Antonio, where it
produces Tundra trucks and Sequoia vehicles.
The decision comes amid changes in U.S. trade policies and
pressure to increase vehicle manufacturing within the country. Reuters reported
that the relocation of some production from Mexico to Texas occurs as the
automotive industry faces higher costs stemming from U.S. tariff policies.
With the new project, Toyota seeks to significantly expand
its industrial presence in Texas, while maintaining manufacturing operations in
the United States, Mexico, and Canada.