Toyota remains to be planning to construct a three-row electrical SUV within the US, but it surely received’t be in Indiana as deliberate. In a sudden shift of plans, Toyota will construct it alongside a second electrical three-row SUV because it consolidates EV manufacturing within the US.
Toyota to construct two new three-row EV SUVs within the US
It has been over two years now since Toyota first unveiled the three-row electrical SUV, which was anticipated to be a key a part of its comeback efforts within the US EV market.
After funneling one other $1.4 billion into its Princeton, Indiana, manufacturing plant final April, Toyota mentioned it was getting ready to assemble the bigger SUV on the facility. The funding was additionally anticipated to go towards an meeting line for lithium-ion batteries, equipped from its new EV battery plant in North Carolina.
As a part of its efforts to streamline manufacturing within the US, Toyota now plans to construct the brand new EV in Kentucky, alongside a brand new Subaru three-row electrical SUV.
In response to AutoNews, Toyota mentioned the transfer is designed to “enhance manufacturing efficiencies and higher serve clients based mostly on market demand.”
“As beforehand introduced, Toyota plans to supply two all-new, three-row battery electrical SUVs within the US. Toyota will now assemble each automobiles at Toyota Kentucky,” the corporate defined in an announcement.
Toyota plans to ramp up Grand Highlander manufacturing in Indiana with a brand new meeting line devoted to the bigger SUV.
Final yr, Grand Highlander gross sales elevated by almost 50% within the US, as demand for the smaller Highlander fell by 47%. The development has continued this yr, with Grand Highlander gross sales up 2% by means of March, whereas Highlander gross sales have declined 62.5%.
Regardless of consolidating manufacturing, Toyota nonetheless has a number of new EVs set to launch within the US quickly. Its up to date bZ electrical SUV (beforehand named the bZ4X) is arriving at US dealerships later this yr.
Toyota upgraded it with an elevated driving vary, a a lot better fashion, and an added NACS port, permitting you to recharge at Tesla Superchargers.
Subsequent yr, the smaller Toyota C-HR and off-road bZ Woodland electrical SUVs will arrive. By mid-2027, Toyota plans to have seven EVs at US dealerships, together with beneath the Lexus model. Subaru is about to introduce three new EVs by 2026, together with the brand new Trailseeker SUV.
Toyota additionally introduced plans to lift car costs within the US this week. The worth hikes will impression Toyota and Lexus model fashions constructed after July 1.
