Toyota's U.S. Manufacturing Footprint
Toyota operates ten manufacturing plants across the United States, producing vehicles, engines, and transmissions. These facilities are located in Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. The plants employ over 130,000 workers combined and represent Toyota's largest manufacturing presence outside Japan.
Each plant specializes in different vehicle types or components. Some produce sedans and crossovers for the North American market, while others focus on engines, transmissions, or casting operations that supply multiple assembly facilities. Toyota has invested billions in these plants over the past two decades, with ongoing upgrades to production capacity and technology.
Key Takeaways
- Toyota's ten U.S. plants are spread across seven states, with the largest concentration in Kentucky and Indiana.
- Georgetown, Kentucky is Toyota's oldest and largest U.S. assembly plant, producing the Camry, Avalon, and Lexus ES.
- Princeton, Indiana manufactures the Highlander and Sienna, while Blue Springs, Mississippi produces the Corolla.
- Engine and transmission plants in Ohio, West Virginia, and Alabama supply components to assembly facilities nationwide.
- Toyota announced plans to build electric vehicle batteries and increase EV production at several U.S. locations through 2030.
Major Assembly Plants and What They Produce
The Georgetown, Kentucky plant opened in 1988 and remains Toyota's flagship U.S. facility. It produces the Toyota Camry, Toyota Avalon, and Lexus ES sedan. The plant operates multiple production lines and has a capacity of around 550,000 vehicles annually across all its operations.
The Princeton, Indiana plant, which began operations in 2008, manufactures the Toyota Highlander and Toyota Sienna. This facility focuses on larger vehicles and crossovers and has expanded several times since opening. The Blue Springs, Mississippi plant produces the Toyota Corolla and has been in operation since 2011.
The Plano, Texas plant, which opened in 2006, produces the Toyota Tundra pickup truck and Sequoia SUV. The San Antonio, Texas facility manufactures the Toyota Tacoma pickup truck. Both Texas plants serve the growing demand for trucks and SUVs in the North American market.
Engine, Transmission, and Component Plants
Toyota operates dedicated engine and transmission manufacturing facilities that supply parts to assembly plants. The Georgetown, Kentucky location includes an engine plant producing four- and six-cylinder engines. The Deanna, Ohio plant manufactures engines for various Toyota models.
Transmission plants in Tipton, Indiana and Huntsville, Alabama produce automatic transmissions for sedans, crossovers, and trucks. The Woodstock, Ontario facility in Canada also supplies transmissions to U.S. assembly plants. A casting plant in Huntsville, Alabama produces engine blocks and other metal components.
These component facilities operate on tight schedules coordinated with assembly plant demand. Parts are shipped to assembly locations as needed, reducing inventory costs and ensuring plants have current production specifications. The integration of these component plants with assembly operations allows Toyota to control quality and manage production flow across its North American network.
Employment and Local Economic Impact
Toyota's U.S. plants directly employ approximately 130,000 workers, making the company one of the largest automotive employers in the country. Wages at Toyota manufacturing facilities typically range from $16 to $28 per hour depending on position and seniority, though these figures vary by plant and change over time.
Beyond direct employment, Toyota plants support thousands of supplier jobs. Parts suppliers, logistics companies, and service providers depend on Toyota's manufacturing operations. Local communities benefit from property taxes, sales taxes on equipment purchases, and spending by employees at local businesses.
Toyota has also invested in workforce development programs at several locations, partnering with community colleges to train workers in advanced manufacturing, robotics, and quality control. These programs prepare workers for both current openings and future roles as production technology evolves.
Recent Investments and Production Changes
Toyota announced in 2021 that it would invest $13.5 billion in U.S. manufacturing through 2030, with a focus on electric vehicle production. The company plans to build EV battery plants in North Carolina and Kentucky, with production beginning in the mid-2020s. These battery facilities will supply power cells to assembly plants producing electric Toyota and Lexus models.
The Georgetown, Kentucky plant was selected to produce the next-generation Toyota bZ4X electric crossover alongside conventional vehicles. The Princeton, Indiana facility will also transition to produce more hybrid and electric models. Toyota has stated that by 2030, it aims to have electrified vehicles represent 70 percent of its U.S. sales.
Production volumes at individual plants fluctuate based on market demand, supply chain conditions, and model cycles. During 2020 and 2021, semiconductor shortages reduced output at multiple facilities. Toyota has worked to diversify its semiconductor suppliers and increase inventory buffers to reduce future disruptions.
Plant Locations and Primary Products
| Plant Location | State | Primary Products | Year Opened |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown | Kentucky | Camry, Avalon, Lexus ES, engines | 1988 |
| Princeton | Indiana | Highlander, Sienna | 2008 |
| Blue Springs | Mississippi | Corolla | 2011 |
| Plano | Texas | Tundra, Sequoia | 2006 |
| San Antonio | Texas | Tacoma | 2006 |
| Tipton | Indiana | Transmissions | 1998 |
| Deanna | Ohio | Engines | 2000 |
| Huntsville | Alabama | Transmissions, castings | 2007 |
| Woodstock | Ontario, Canada | Transmissions | 2008 |
| North Carolina | North Carolina | EV batteries (under construction) | 2025 (planned) |
Most Toyota plants do not offer public facility tours due to safety and security protocols. However, some locations host community events or educational programs for schools and organizations. Contact information for individual plants can be found through Toyota's corporate website or by calling Toyota's main customer service line.
The table above shows the current and planned Toyota manufacturing locations across North America. Each facility plays a specific role in Toyota's production network, whether assembling finished vehicles or manufacturing the components that go into them. The geographic spread allows Toyota to serve different regional markets and reduce transportation costs for parts and finished vehicles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I tour a Toyota manufacturing plant?
Most Toyota plants do not offer public tours for safety and operational reasons. Some facilities occasionally host educational visits for school groups or community organizations by advance request. Contact the specific plant location directly through Toyota's website to inquire about any available programs.
How many cars does a Toyota plant produce per day?
Production rates vary by plant and model. A large assembly facility like Georgetown can produce over 1,500 vehicles per day across all production lines, but this number changes based on demand, model mix, and scheduled maintenance. Smaller plants or those focused on specific models produce fewer units daily.
Does Toyota hire workers at these plants?
Toyota regularly hires for manufacturing positions at its U.S. plants. Job openings are posted on Toyota's careers website and through local workforce development agencies. Positions range from assembly line roles to maintenance, quality control, and supervisory positions. Hiring needs vary by plant and season.
What is Toyota doing to make electric vehicles at U.S. plants?
Toyota is building two new battery manufacturing plants in Kentucky and North Carolina to produce EV batteries domestically. Existing assembly plants in Georgetown and Princeton are being modified to produce electric models alongside conventional vehicles. The company plans to increase EV production capacity significantly through 2030.
Which Toyota plant is the largest?
The Georgetown, Kentucky plant is Toyota's largest U.S. facility by employment and production volume. It operates multiple assembly lines and includes an engine manufacturing operation. The facility produces three vehicle models and supplies engines to other plants across North America.