Toyota Prius to be produced in Mississippi

Toyota today revealed plans to adjust its production mix at three plants in an effort to respond to changes in consumer demand. The move will allow Toyota to produce fewer trucks and more hybrids in the U.S.

The Toyota Prius will now be built in Blue Springs, Mississippi with production set to begin in late 2010. Joining the Camry Hybrid as the second Toyota badged hybrid built in the U.S., Toyota will be in a better position to respond to the increased demand hybrid vehicles.

To make room for the Prius the Highlander will be moved to Toyota’s Princeton, Indiana plant starting fall of 2009. The Toyota Tundra will be moved from Indiana to San Antonio starting spring 2009.

Toyota also said that it will suspend production of the Tundra and Sequoia starting August 8 and will resume it in early November.

——

Press Release:

Toyota to build Prius in U.S.
Highlander to Indiana; all Tundra to Texas

July 10, 2008 ““ Erlanger, KY – Toyota is responding to changes in consumer demand and improving the production efficiency and stability of its North American operations by adjusting production mix at three plants. The changes include the addition of the Prius hybrid sedan to its North American lineup.

The changes are as follows:
– Prius will be built at a plant under construction in Blue Springs, Miss. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2010. Prius, which will join the Kentucky-built Camry Hybrid as the second Toyota hybrid built in North America, enables Toyota to better respond to increased consumer demand for hybrid vehicles.

– The Highlander mid-size SUV, originally scheduled to be built in Mississippi, will now be manufactured in Princeton, Ind., beginning in Fall 2009.

– Production of the Tundra full-size pick-up truck, currently built in Indiana and Texas, will be consolidated at the San Antonio plant in Spring 2009.
In addition, Toyota will temporarily suspend Tundra and Sequoia production beginning August 8 due to the declining overall market for full size trucks and SUVs. Production is scheduled to resume in early November. Team members at both facilities, as well as the Huntsville, Ala. plant that builds Tundra and Sequoia engines, will continue to be provided work.

“The truck market continues to worsen, so unfortunately we must temporarily suspend production. But this good news about production mix demonstrates our long-term commitment to our North American operations and to our team members, supplier partners, and communities where our plants are located,” said Jim Wiseman, vice president/external affairs for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA). “By using this downturn as an opportunity to develop team members and improve our operations, we hope to emerge even stronger.”