Toyota has announced that it will invest an estimated R5.8 billion to improve the production of its four-cylinder engines that will power the next generation of Toyota and Lexus vehicles. The investment will impact four production plants across the United States.
Toyota’s North American Unit Manufacturing and Engineering Senior Vice President, Norm Bafunno, said, “These investments allow us to meet customer needs and quickly respond to an evolving market. We are committed to investing in the U.S., and our teams are ready to take on this new challenge.”
An estimated total of R3.3 billion will be allocated to the Toyota Alabama production plant, which will be used to create a new production line dedicated to building the four-cylinder motors. The new production line will be responsible for the production of pure combustion engines and electric power plants. Currently, the Alabama plant is responsible for the production of the firm’s inline-four, V6, and V8 motors which are found in models such as the RAV4 and Corolla. The plant is allegedly capable of producing 900 000 engines annually. As of the 12th of July, the Alabama plant reported that it had produced 641 849 engines.
Toyota’s Missouri production pant will receive an R1.6 billion investment to improve its four-cylinder production capabilities. The plant will receive new equipment to develop four-cylinder engine heads across three production lines. Toyota claims that the Missouri plant is capable of producing 3 million engine heads annually. The four-cylinder engine heads will be the responsibility of the Missouri plant while the engine blocks will be produced by the firm’s Tennessee plant. The Jackson-based production plant will receive an R548 million investment. The plant is capable of producing 2 million engine blocks annually.
Toyota’s Kentucky production plant is the largest Toyota production plant globally. It produces seven Toyota models as well as a handful of Lexus models. Alongside vehicle production, the plant is also responsible for the development of four-cylinder motors and V6 engines. The plant will receive an R243 million investment to expand its four-cylinder engine production line.
The full-throttle approach to the development and production of electric vehicle platforms has left the treasured combustion engine in the lurch. The consensus amongst many notable automakers is that the era of the combustion engine is over. Over the years, we’ve witnessed manufacturers replace larger displacement motors in favor of smaller displacement engines as a way of creating cars that are more fuel-efficient and less impactful on the environment.
We’re seeing less fossil fuel powered cars being produced and more effort being put into the development of EVs. ”Toyota customers want vehicles that are fuel-efficient and electrified” said Bafunno.
