Toyota took an important step in its strategy for the North American market by confirming that the Tacoma pickup will gradually stop being produced in Baja California, Mexico.

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The model will be completely assembled in San Antonio, Texas, a decision that seeks to strengthen local manufacturing and respond more quickly to the demand of this segment.

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The move is also part of a plan to optimize the supply chain, reduce costs associated with imports and strengthen the brand's industrial presence in the United States. To achieve this, Toyota will significantly expand its production complex in Texas over the coming years.

A large expansion

The company reported that it will incorporate a second assembly line exclusively for the Tacoma within the San Antonio plant. The expansion will add nearly 232,000 square meters to the facilities and will allow the complex to practically double its size before the end of the decade.

The transfer from the Mexican plant will not be immediate. Toyota expects the process to be completed in approximately four years, with a progressive migration of production to US territory.

Thousands of jobs and a historic investment

To make this project a reality, the automaker will allocate $3.6 billion dollars, an investment that will also boost the hiring of some 2,000 people in areas related to manufacturing, engineering and industrial operations.

Once the expansion is completed, the plant will have nearly 6,000 employees and will continue to rely on a network of 23 suppliers that operate within the same complex, which will facilitate more efficient production and more integrated logistics.

Toyota is committed to growing in the United States

Ted Ogawa, president and CEO of Toyota Motor North America, explained that this investment reflects the company's confidence in the economic development of the region and the capabilities of the American workforce. According to the manager, expanding production in Texas will allow vehicles to be manufactured with high quality standards while the company maintains its competitiveness in the pickup segment.

The project also represents a boost for Texas, which continues to attract investment from large manufacturers. State authorities believe that the arrival of the Tacoma will strengthen the state's position as one of the main automotive production centers in the United States.

The San Antonio plant will continue to gain prominence

The Texan factory began operations more than two decades ago and currently produces the Tundra and the Sequoia. With the addition of the Tacoma, the complex will expand its importance within Toyota's global strategy.

In total, the company will have allocated around $8.3 billion dollars to these facilities since their opening. In addition to the increase in production capacity, the expansion includes new manufacturing technologies, higher levels of automation and more flexible processes to quickly adapt to market needs.