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Toyota North America announced Tuesday it plans to invest $453 million into its manufacturing plant in Buffalo, West Virginia starting in 2027. This expansion is expected to add 80 jobs and bring the company’s total investment in Putnam County to $3.3 billion.
The investment will increase assembly of 4-cylinder hybrid-compatible engines, sixth-generation hybrid transaxles and rear motors. Toyota West Virginia assembles more than one million engines, transmissions and hybrid transaxles annually.
David Rosier, group vice president for Region Five of Toyota North America and the president of the Buffalo plant, joined Gov. Patrick Morrisey at the Capitol for the announcement.
“It really reflects a reflection or an investment in our product, again, from a hybrid production capability,” he said. “It’s part of our multi-pathway approach to providing a vehicle for all customers. It’s an investment in our equipment and our process.”
This investment supports Toyota’s broader goal to invest up to $10 billion over five years in U.S. manufacturing. Currently, Toyota’s North American manufacturing facilities assemble more than three-quarters, or 76%, of the vehicles it sells in the U.S.
“As you’re building out all this energy capacity, you want to make sure that there’s good manufacturing jobs right here in West Virginia that can take advantage of that. So it’s big news for West Virginia,” Morrisey said. “I’m grateful for the long-term partnership. It’s almost a half a billion dollars. That’s real money, and that really reflects a strong confidence in our people, our workforce and our economy.”
Toyota’s multi-pathway powertrain approach continues to drive steady growth in electrified vehicles, including hybrids, plug-ins and all electric, which now account for nearly 50% of the company’s U.S. sales.