BUFFALO, W.Va. — Toyota West Virginia says it has started producing the fifth-generation hybrid transaxle at its plant in Putnam County.
David Rosier
Toyota West Virginia President David Rosier said the assembly of the transaxles is part of a previously announced $300 million investments at the Buffalo plant to expand the company’s electrification of vehicles it makes.
“This hybrid transaxle will be part of the drivetrain in the all-new Toyota Camry, the Corolla Cross and eventually the new Rav4,” Rosier said. “A hybrid transaxle can transfer power seamlessly between the engine, the electric motor and the wheel and they are also far more fuel efficient.”
Toyota West Virginia is the only Toyota plant in North America that produces the hybrid transaxle. Rosier said it points to another investment into West Virginia and the 2,000 workers at the Buffalo plant
“This reinforces Toyota’s faith in the Mountain State,” Rosier said. “This is a challenging, complex piece of machinery but our team members have the know-how, expertise and determination to assemble some of the highest-quality hybrid transaxles on the road today,” Rosier said.
Toyota said it has invested nearly $20 billion in its U.S. manufacturing electrification efforts in the last three years.
Workers also continue to produce engines and drivetrain components at the Buffalo plant.