Toyota Boosts West Virginia Operations with New Line and Donates to Marshall University

BUFFALO, WV (WOWK) — A significant company is injecting substantial capital into West Virginia’s economy.

According to a statement from Toyota, the company plans to invest $88 million in constructing a new production line for hybrid transaxles at their facility in Buffalo. This makes the Buffalo plant the sole Toyota factory in North America responsible for manufacturing these components.

This investment underscores Toyota’s 'build where we sell' strategy and demonstrates the company’s trust in our team members," stated David Rosier, president of Toyota West Virginia. "The dedication of our employees to adopt new technologies and promote ambitious concepts keeps propelling us ahead, and we're thrilled to be at the forefront of offering customers multiple powertrain choices.

Toyota mentioned that hybrid transaxles play a crucial role in transmitting power from both engines and electric motors to the wheels. They emphasized that these systems are vital for their strategy toward vehicle electrification. The automaker also noted that this latest series of components aims to meet increasing demand, notably within Toyota and Lexus cars manufactured in North America.

I welcome this significant investment in our state," remarked West Virginia Governor Patrick Morrisey. "Being the location of Toyota’s sole North American facility for such intricate equipment, West Virginia remains dedicated to fostering economic growth and providing high-skilled job opportunities for our labor force. We appreciate Toyota’s dedication to expanding their operations within the Mountain State.

In gratitude to the Mountain State, Toyota of West Virginia has pledged a donation of $100,000 to support the workforce development initiatives at Marshall University's Marshall Advanced Manufacturing Center. This contribution aims to enhance recruitment endeavors.

This significant donation from Toyota West Virginia will greatly enhance our initiatives aimed at developing a more skilled and inventive labor force in advanced manufacturing," stated Marshall University’s president, Brad D. Smith. "This initiative will provide numerous individuals with essential competencies, opportunities to discover fulfilling career paths, and contribute to shaping the future of this sector.

Toyota West Virginia has been an enduring and cherished collaborator for both the state and Putnam County," stated West Virginia State Senator Glenn Jefferies (Putnam-R). "The news about the sixth-generation hybrid transaxle underscores Toyota's ongoing dedication to invest in West Virginia and bolster this facility as a crucial economic catalyst. The achievements of Toyota serve as a testament we happily recount whenever advocating for the state during discussions on potential future economic growth initiatives—they consistently raise the standard.

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