Toyota's powerplant manufacturing facility in Huntsville has been transformed into an engine powerhouse.

And it continues to contribute to the promotion of the local economy.

Toyota announced that its Alabama plant is expanding again, with a $282 million investment project that will create more than 350 high-quality, long-term jobs.

This growth project brings Toyota Alabama's total investment to more than $1.7 billion and underscores the company's commitment to reinvesting profits in its U.S. operations.

“Toyota has been a key partner in Alabama's growing automotive industry for more than 20 years, and has undertaken multiple expansions to increase the production capacity and talented workforce at its Huntsville plant,” said Governor Kay Ivey. “This new investment project will build on the great tradition of Toyota's Alabama engine plant and create even more new opportunities for area residents.”

Production began at a facility north of Huntsville in 2003, and the operation added additional production lines for drivetrain products.

“Our Alabama team members are committed to quality and continuous improvement every day, and we are confident they will rise to the challenges of the new production line,” said Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Alabama. “The new line will further increase the plant's flexibility and reaffirm Toyota's commitment to our team and the community.”

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Huntsville area officials welcomed Toyota's reinvestment in the facility.

“This is great news for Toyota and the community of Huntsville,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “The addition of drivetrain products to Toyota Alabama continues the company's tradition of being at the forefront of industry needs, which in turn brings additional job opportunities to North Alabama.”

Madison County Commission Chairman Mac McCutcheon said Toyota's growth project will have a significant economic impact on the area.

“Toyota has been and continues to be a trusted economic partner for the state of Alabama and Madison County,” he said. “They provide high-paying jobs for their employees and an unmatched workforce, and we are pleased to support this new project that will create more than 350 new jobs and $282 million in investment in Alabama and Madison County.”

“We thank Toyota for investing in Madison County and providing a high quality of life for area residents.”

Toyota Alabama is the largest engine production site in North America, employing more than 2,000 team members and assembling more than 770,000 engines in 2023.

“I've been building high-quality Toyota engines for eight years and am excited to have the opportunity to bring a new product to our plant,” said Marcus Calhoun, team leader at Toyota Alabama. “Toyota was my first manufacturing job and now I'm leading my own team. I'm ready to help both current and future team members gain the skills they need for this project.”

Toyota Alabama supplies engines to seven Toyota Motor plants in North America. Engines assembled in Huntsville power the Corolla, Highlander, RAV4, Sequoia, Sienna, Tacoma and Tundra, as well as the Corolla Cross, which is assembled at the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S. Plant in Huntsville.

“Toyota Alabama has had a long history of success, and we are proud of the workforce in Huntsville who has helped make every milestone we've achieved there a reality,” said Alabama Secretary of Commerce Ellen McNair. “This new and significant investment in Alabama will once again support Toyota's strategic efforts to prepare for the future in a rapidly changing industry.”

Toyota Alabama is hiring. Learn more Toyota Alabama career website.

This story was originally 256 today.