Toyota stated Tuesday that it will invest $1.3 billion to equip its Kentucky facility for the manufacturing of a three-row all-electric SUV for U.S. buyers. The additional funding brings Toyota’s plant investment to almost $10 billion and shows the automaker’s increased commitment to electrification.
In recent years, Toyota has been accused of falling behind the battery-electric car market. Toyota executives have maintained their decision to provide gas, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and battery electric automobiles. Last year, the business vowed to add 10 battery-powered vehicles by 2026 to its EV range.
The $1.3 billion investment will assist in all-electric SUV manufacture and help construct a battery pack assembly plant. Three-row all-electric SUV manufacturing is scheduled for 2025. It will compete with Kia’s late 2023 three-row EV9. Mercedes, Rivian, Tesla, and Volvo create three-row all-electric SUVs, but they’re expensive since they’re premium and luxurious. 
Toyota’s North Carolina factory will create the battery cells, another site it has invested in. Toyota announced a $2.1 billion battery factory investment last year.
Toyota Kentucky president Kerry Creech said the news shows the company’s commitment to car electrification and U.S. reinvestment.
The corporation has invested $17 billion in U.S. manufacturing to enable electrification in the previous three years.
