By the end of 2013, Toyota’s Princeton, Indiana assembly plant will have an additional 400 some jobs thanks to the Highlander SUV. The automaker will need the help given that they plan on increasing the vehicle’s production for U.S. spec models as well as both hybrids and exportation variants. This global demand will be supplemented via a $400 million investment as Toyota plans to take all Highlander production out of Japan where the Yen is too strong to turn a solid profit. When the switch is made and final, Indiana will be manufacturing an extra 50,000 SUVs annually.
“This project allows for better utilization of the Indiana plant and will help Toyota capitalize on the improving North American and global auto market,” said Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America. “In addition to new jobs at the Indiana plant, this project will increase opportunities and jobs for our North American supply base.” Currently, the Highlander is built-in Japan and China as well as Indiana. Even though the Japanese-made SUV will soon be nonexistent, the Chinese one will continue on and be available for that market only. Toyota has the full intention of shipping the U.S. made Highlanders to Russia and Australia: two of the Vehicle’s current overseas markets. When Indiana takes on the added work, they will continue to build the full size Sequoia SUV and Sienna minivan.
Source: Toyota
