Driven by People, Powering the Future
Toyota Kicks Off a Milestone Year with a $1 Billion Investment in Kentucky and Indiana
GEORGETOWN, Ky., March 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- It was 1986. Bon Jovi and Madonna filled the airwaves. Halley's Comet whizzed overhead, and the Chicago Bears shuffled their way to a championship. Toyota also took a bold new step into U.S. operations, as it broke ground in Kentucky and set the stage for millions of vehicles rolling off the line, starting with the Toyota Camry sedan.
Today, Toyota celebrated 40 years at its Kentucky plant – the company's largest manufacturing plant in the world. To commemorate the occasion, Toyota announced a $1 billion investment across its Kentucky and Indiana operations, affirming the company's commitment to meet growing customer demand and offer a diverse vehicle line up. The announcement is part of Toyota's November 2025 commitment to invest up to $10 billion in its U.S. plants over the next five years.
"Toyota's investment in the U.S. is for the long-term, tied to our philosophy of building where we sell and buying where we build," said Mark Templin, executive vice president and chief operating officer, Toyota Motor North America. "We have created a tremendous value chain for nearly 70 years. Our teams have contributed to world-class design, engineering, and assembly of more than thirty-five million cars and trucks for our customers in the U.S."
The investment includes:
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear was all smiles celebrating with Toyota team members in the Blue Grass state.
"Kentucky changed for the better 40 years ago when Toyota chose to make Georgetown its New Kentucky Home, and I am proud to say that partnership and success continues today as we celebrate this remarkable milestone together," said Gov. Andy Beshear. "Toyota Kentucky is Toyota's largest vehicle manufacturing plant in the world, producing over 14 million vehicles since its doors opened and benefiting Kentuckians through good jobs and a strong economy. We are grateful to our great Toyota partners and look forward to building on years of success for generations to come."
Additionally, Toyota Kentucky announced millions in new grant funding further solidifying the company's commitment to career readiness and community engagement.
A cornerstone of American manufacturing and jobs, Toyota has much to celebrate in 2026. Five of the company's U.S. manufacturing facilities are marking major anniversaries this year including:
ADDITIONAL QUOTES
Kerry Creech: "For Toyota, manufacturing has always been about more than building vehicles, it's about investing in people," said Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky. "Ensuring customer satisfaction and safety starts with each team member on the production line. Our 10,000 team members are the heart of Toyota. We will continue to invest in them and in our future workforce."
Jason Puckett: "Today's announcement reflects the company's commitment to meeting customer demand and the belief in our team to get it done," said Jason Puckett, president of Toyota Indiana. "For thirty years, Toyota Indiana has led the charge into the future by putting our customers first, delivering quality vehicles, and remaining committed to our values. I'm proud to celebrate this incredible milestone with our 7,300 team members who have helped contribute to decades of quality in the Hoosier state."
About Toyota
Toyota (NYSE: TM) has been a part of the cultural fabric in the U.S. for nearly 70 years, and is committed to advancing sustainable, next-generation mobility through our Toyota and Lexus brands, plus our nearly 1,500 dealerships.
Toyota directly employs nearly 48,000 people in the U.S. who have contributed to the design, engineering, and assembly of more than 35 million cars and trucks at our 11 manufacturing plants. In 2025, Toyota's plant in North Carolina began to assemble automotive batteries for electrified vehicles.
To help inspire the next generation for careers in advanced manufacturing, Toyota launched its in-person tour booking platform and virtual tour experience at www.TourToyota.com allowing guests to schedule a live tour to see several of our U.S. manufacturing facilities in action or visit all plants virtually from anywhere around the globe.
For more information about Toyota, visit  www.ToyotaNewsroom.com.
Toyota USA Foundation
The Toyota USA Foundation is a $100 million endowed private foundation supporting education and community programs for kindergarten through 12th-grade students and their teachers in the United States, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Media Contacts:
Toyota Kentucky
Kim Ogle
[email protected]
Toyota Indiana
Stacy Carr
[email protected]
SOURCE Toyota Motor North America