Toyota Motor Corporation has marked the 40th anniversary of its Kentucky manufacturing plant with a $1bn investment across its US operations, reinforcing its long-term commitment to North American production.
The milestone reflects the company’s evolution from its first US assembly footprint in 1986, when construction began in Georgetown, Kentucky, to what is now Toyota’s largest manufacturing facility globally. Production at the site began with the Toyota Camry, a model that would go on to become one of the best-selling passenger cars in the United States. Since then, the plant has produced more than 14 million vehicles, forming a cornerstone of Toyota’s North American manufacturing strategy.
The newly announced $1bn investment will be split across two major facilities. Around $800m will be deployed in Kentucky to support Toyota’s multi-pathway electrification strategy, including preparation for a second battery electric vehicle (BEV), as well as expanded production capacity for the Camry and Toyota RAV4. A further $200m will be invested in Indiana to increase output of the Toyota Grand Highlander, with production integrated alongside the Sienna minivan and Lexus TX.
The investment forms part of a broader pledge made in November 2025 to invest up to $10bn in US manufacturing over five years, signalling continued confidence in domestic production despite wider industry uncertainty.
Mark Templin, executive vice president and COO of Toyota Motor North America, said the move reflects Toyota’s longstanding localisation philosophy. “Toyota’s investment in the U.S. is for the long-term, tied to our philosophy of building where we sell and buying where we build,” he said, adding that the company’s US operations have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million vehicles.
The anniversary was marked in Kentucky alongside Governor Andy Beshear, who highlighted the plant’s role in transforming the state’s industrial base. “Kentucky changed for the better 40 years ago when Toyota chose to make Georgetown its New Kentucky Home,” Beshear said, noting that the facility has supported jobs, investment, and long-term economic growth across the region.
The announcement comes amid a broader push by automakers to expand US production capacity, driven by localisation strategies, evolving trade dynamics, and the transition to electrified vehicle platforms, with Toyota’s latest investment underscoring that long-term commitments to North American manufacturing remain firmly intact.
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