Toyota Opens $13.9 Billion U.S. Battery Plant, Adds $10 Billion in New Investments

Liberty, North Carolina  — Toyota Motor Corp. has officially begun production at its new $13.9 billion battery manufacturing plant in North Carolina, marking a major step in its U.S. expansion strategy.

The Japanese automaker also confirmed plans to invest an additional $10 billion in the United States over the next five years, more than previously announced. Toyota Motor North America CEO Tetsuo Ogawa described the milestone as a “pivotal moment” for the company.

The Liberty plant is Toyota’s first in-house battery facility outside Japan, producing lithium-ion batteries for both hybrid and fully electric vehicles. The project was first announced in 2021 amid efforts by U.S. policymakers to strengthen domestic EV supply chains.

While global demand for electric vehicles has cooled, hybrid sales continue to rise, a trend that has benefited Toyota, which now holds over 51% of the U.S. hybrid market, according to Motor Intelligence.

Toyota’s U.S. sales rose 9.9% in the first nine months of 2025 to more than 1.3 million vehicles, reflecting strong hybrid demand despite shifting trade and regulatory conditions.