RM Toyota Announces $912M U.S. Manufacturing Boost as CEO Akio Toyoda Draws Attention With MAGA Gear at NASCAR Event
Toyota revealed on Tuesday that it will pour $912 million into its U.S. manufacturing operations, just days after CEO Akio Toyoda made headlines for appearing at a NASCAR event in Japan wearing a red MAGA hat and a Trump–Vance T-shirt.
The event, held Sunday at Toyota’s Fuji Speedway, showcased American motorsport culture with well-known drivers, cheering fans waving U.S. flags, and a visit from U.S. Ambassador to Japan George Glass, Automotive News reported.
Toyoda referenced the ongoing U.S.–Japan trade friction while speaking at the event, pairing his bold political-themed attire with comments about tariffs.
“I’m not here to say whether tariffs are right or wrong,” he said before the race. “Every country’s leader wants to protect their domestic industries. We’re looking for ways to make tariffs work well for everyone—especially our customers.”
Under a recent trade agreement reached in September, Japan currently faces roughly a 15% tariff on imported vehicles, reduced from 27.5%.
Ambassador Glass shared photos from the event, writing “Start your engines!” and noting plans to further highlight American motorsports in Japan during the upcoming U.S. 250th-anniversary celebrations.
On Tuesday, Toyota—America’s second-largest new-vehicle seller behind General Motors—formally announced its nearly $1 billion investment strategy aimed at expanding hybrid-vehicle manufacturing across the southern United States. The funds are part of a previously unveiled commitment to invest up to $10 billion in the U.S. by 2030, a plan that former President Trump discussed publicly last month. Many of these projects are slated for completion by 2027.
Toyota already dominates the hybrid market with over 51% market share through the third quarter of this year, according to Motor Intelligence. The company hopes to build on that lead by increasing production of hybrid-capable engines and vehicles at multiple U.S. facilities.
“Customers are continuing to choose Toyota hybrids, and our manufacturing teams in the U.S. are preparing to meet that rising demand,” said Kevin Voelkel, the company’s senior vice president of manufacturing operations.
He added that Toyota’s long-standing philosophy is “to build where we sell,” emphasizing that creating American jobs and expanding U.S. operations remains central to the automaker’s strategy.
Of the newly announced investments, the largest portion—$453 million—will expand assembly of four-cylinder hybrid-ready engines at Toyota’s plant in Buffalo, West Virginia. Another $204.4 million will support increased production of the same engines at the company’s Georgetown, Kentucky facility.
Toyota will also direct $125 million toward its Blue Springs, Mississippi plant to grow Corolla production and introduce hybrid variants there.
Additional investments include $71.4 million at the Jackson, Tennessee plant and $57.1 million at the Troy, Missouri facility.
Altogether, the initiatives are expected to generate 252 new U.S. jobs, the company said.
