Toyota Manufacturing is again emphasizing the importance of its Huntsville plant for their plans to develop and build the cars of future.

On Tuesday morning, executives from Toyota gathered at the Chamber of Commerce, along with Huntsville city leaders, to announce new funding totaling $383 million being invested across four manufacturing plants across America. Of that total, the Huntsville Toyota facility is receiving $222 million, almost 60 percent of the entire investment. The remaining funds are being invested in Toyota plants in Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee.

This new investment will help the Huntsville plant develop a new four-cylinder production line with the capacity to produce engines that will suit combustion and hybrid electric powertrains. Due to this investment, the facility will expand its total footprint by 114,000 square feet. This is the sixth building expansion since 2003 and brings the total Toyota Alabama investment to nearly $1.6 billion. The new line of engines is scheduled to be in production by Fall of 2023.

Toyota Alabama President Jason Puckett made the announcement and praised the workforce in Huntsville that has made this investment worthwhile.

“It’s our dedicated workforce that continues to drive Toyota Alabama forward,” said Puckett. “Our team members’ commitment to building world-class engines is why Toyota has invested in our plant eight times, and why we continue to play a vital role in Toyota’s electrified future.”

Mayor Tommy Battle was also on hand to share his sentiments regarding the ongoing relationship that the city has enjoyed with Toyota Manufacturing.

“Toyota is a very important partner in the success of this community as it was the first of our advanced manufacturing investments we made in the community,” Mayor Battle explained. “This shows the commitment that Toyota has to this community but also shows the investment this community has to Toyota by supplying over 1,800 workers and being able to produce over 640,000 engines a year.

Joining Mayor Battle was Madison County Chairman Dale Strong as he remarked on the example Toyota Manufacturing has set in providing an integral partnership between the company and the community.

“Today’s announcement by Toyota is yet another example of their 20-year commitment to our region, he said. Over those years, they have become an important part of our community and a model of how public-private partnerships can work.

While not on hand, Alabama Governor Kay Ivey did provide a statement regarding Toyota’s efforts that will help Alabama prepare for the future.

“Toyota has been a great partner for Alabama, and its expansion projects at the Huntsville engine plant have always played an important role in the world-class automakers’s growth plans. This significant new investment in Alabama will once again help power Toyota’s strategic efforts to prepare for the future in a fast-changing industry.”

Puckett also announced that Huntsville citizens will be able to celebrate the announcement this weekend as well as the 20th anniversary of Toyota Alabama.

“As we recognize the 20th anniversary of Toyota Alabama this year, we also wanted to throw a big party to celebrate all of our team members and everyone in the community. This weekend we will have a concert at Toyota Field with performances by Flo Rida and Big and Rich.”

Images provided by the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber and Noah Logan.