Toyota (NYSE: TM) announced plans to begin building its Prius hybrid in the U.S. to respond to changes in consumer demand. As a result, the Japanese automaker will adjust production mix at three plants.
The Prius will be built at a plant under construction in Blue Springs, Miss. Production is scheduled to begin in late 2010. The popular model will join the Kentucky-built Camry Hybrid as the second Toyota hybrid built in North America.
The Highlander mid-size SUV, originally scheduled to be built in Mississippi, will now be manufactured in Princeton, Ind., beginning in Fall 2009.
Production of the Tundra full-size pick-up truck, currently built in Indiana and Texas, will be consolidated at the San Antonio plant in Spring 2009.
In addition, Toyota will temporarily suspend Tundra and Sequoia production beginning August 8 due to the declining overall market for full size trucks and SUVs. Production is scheduled to resume in early November.
"The truck market continues to worsen, so unfortunately we must temporarily suspend production. But this good news about production mix demonstrates our long-term commitment to our North American operations and to our team members, supplier partners, and communities where our plants are located," said Jim Wiseman, vice president/external affairs for Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America (TEMA).
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