Toyota celebrates start of electric vehicle batteries coming off the line near Liberty

LIBERTY — A new manufacturing plant doesn’t often create a huge celebration. But in this case, it was Toyota observing the start of producing lithium ion batteries for electrified vehicles.

The jubilation was heightened by the memories of past rejections by the automotive industry. Up until Toyota announced plans to build the plant at the Greensboro-Randolph Megasite, North Carolina had been the only state in the Southeast without a major automotive plant.

The celebration took place Nov. 12 at the 1,850-acre Toyota Battery NC campus west of Liberty. The ceremonies attracted US Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Japan’s ambassador to the US Shigeo Yamato; NC Gov. Josh Stein; Toyota Motors USA president and CEO Ted Ogawa; and Sen. Ted Budd of North Carolina. The ceremony was hosted by Don Stewart, president of the battery plant.

“What a great day to celebrate the start of Toyota’s first battery plant in North America,” Stewart said. “The plant was many years in the making.”

He credited local civic leaders for coming together some 15 years ago to find and develop a megasite to attract advanced manufacturing. “But it couldn’t happen without the team members, the backbone of the company.”

It was 2021 when Toyota announced that it would build the battery plant at the megasite, investing nearly $14 billion with plans to eventually put some 5,000 people to work. The workforce currently stands at about 1,200.

Ogawa said Toyota, a Japanese car manufacturer, first came to the US in 1957 with a dealership in Hollywood, California. Now the company has 11 manufacturing plants in the US employing 49,000 with a total investment of $50 billion. That doesn’t include some 1,500 Toyota dealerships with another 144,000 workers and the company’s involvement in NASCAR racing.

But Toyota’s US involvement isn’t static. Ogawa said the company intends to invest another $10 billion in America over the next five years. He called it a symbol of progress and partnership in building for the future. The aim is to reduce carbon emissions and give people choices, he said.

Duffy said that “when companies invest in America, they create great American jobs. We’re grateful Toyota has faith in American workers.” He said, “Toyota listens to American consumers.

“America loves cars,” he said, noting that vehicles give people freedom. By making cars in America, you’re using the best workers, he added.

Budd expressed gratitude that Toyota chose North Carolina to lead the way in making batteries. Then he gave credit to a local leader for seeing the megasite development through to success: “We wouldn’t be here without the visionary leadership of Jim Melvin (former mayor of Greensboro who died this past summer) who was singularly focused on this.”

“Today the first hybrid electric battery comes off the line,” Stein said. “Our state is a leader in clean energy. More than 100,000 in North Carolina are employed in clean energy.”

Stein also applauded Toyota Battery’s medical clinic and pharmacy for the employees. The company also offers daycare services for children of team members.

North Carolina has been voted the top state in the country for business three of the past four years, Stein said. “We can’t rest on our laurels but use this as a springboard. And Toyota will play a major role in this state.”

Yamato said the new plant “will energize the economy of North Carolina and the United States. This marks Toyota’s largest investment in the US. Japan is the leading investor in North Carolina and we’re building enduring friendships.”

Stewart returned to the podium to announce that the Toyota USA Foundation, which had previously donated $1 million to local school systems, was investing another $2.7 million in Asheboro City Schools and Guilford County Schools. The money will fund STEM initiatives for science, technology, engineering and math.

With more money going to local schools, Stewart said, “the possibilities for this facility are endless.” 

The last but not least speaker of the ceremony was Rebecca Sams, a local resident who was hired as an operations manager for Toyota Battery.

“Today is a monumental day, especially for the team members,” she said. “As a neighbor of Liberty, I know we’re blessed by Toyota. Toyota has allowed me to have a career in my community.”

Sams said the megasite was located just across the road from her home. When hiring began, she was soon on the payroll.

Later in an interview, Sams said she had been working as a supervisor for Caterpillar in Sanford, an hour’s drive to work on third shift. She wanted something closer to home.

Then Toyota came and “I got to make a change. Toyota came across the street and I started working July 3, 2023, as an operations leader in the module section.”

Sams said she was 11 years old when her family moved from Maryland to Liberty in 1998. She said she’s seen small businesses in town come and go but she thinks Toyota will change that.

“I hope (Toyota) will mean expansion (of the town). It’s all good. Now new businesses in town are starting up and staying.”

Stewart was asked during a media round table discussion how Toyota Battery will effect the area. He said that unlike vehicle assembly plants, a battery plant doesn’t need as many parts. For that reason, he doesn’t think it will attract auxiliary companies.

However, Stewart believes the influence of Toyota on the local area will be its standard of living. He said the difference will be evident when you look in driveways of homes: The quality of vehicles, the boats and motorhomes.

Stewart also thinks education will improve, particularly with the grants being provided by Toyota.

“When Toyota comes to a community, we don’t try to take over,” he said. “But we want to be part of the community.”