News

Toyota to manufacture Prius at Mississippi plant

July 11, 2008 — Toyota has announced that it will manufacture the Prius hybrid automobile at its plant under construction in Blue Springs, Mississippi. The company had previously stated that it would build the Highlander SUV at the new plant, but that production is being shifted to Princeton, Indiana.

Toyota is changing the production mix at three of its North American plants to respond to changes in consumer demand, according to the automaker’s web site. It will consolidate all production of the Tundra full-size pickup truck at its San Antonio, Texas, plant in spring 2009. In addition, it will suspend production of the Tundra as well as the Sequoia full-size SUV for three months beginning in August.

The Prius is the world’s most successful hybrid vehicle and the second to be manufactured in North America by Toyota. The automaker produces the Camry hybrid at its Kentucky plant.

“This announcement is good news for Mississippi, and it fits in well with TVA’s emphasis on sustainable economic growth,” said TVA’s John Bradley, Senior Vice President of Economic Development. “Not only will the plant help meet the growing demand for fuel-efficient vehicles, it is also being designed for environmentally friendly production.” TVA was a partner on the project team that brought Toyota to North Mississippi.

Read the Toyota news release.