Mazda Toyota began production at their $2.3 billion automobile assembly plant in January. Now Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S.A. is holding a community appreciation event for the people of the Tennessee Valley.
Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey (R) will join officials from both Mazda and Toyota on Thursday for the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, U.S.A. community appreciation event. The governor will deliver remarks welcoming Mazda to its only U.S. manufacturing facility presence and congratulating Alabama on its largest economic development investment of the last decade.
The joint venture broke ground in 2018. The massive factory is creating 4,000 new jobs and will have the capacity to assemble up to 300,000 vehicles each year.
Economic developer Dr. Nicole Jones told 1819 News, “Mazda and Toyota’s joint venture investment of a $1.6 billion magnitude made economic history in Alabama. Toyota has been a part of Huntsville since 2001 and has invested over $900 million in multiple expansions at its facility that produces engines in north Huntsville. Mazda chose Alabama as its only US manufacturing site because of our pro-business climate, quality and skilled workforce, proximity to the interstate, and because of Alabama’s history as a leader in the automotive industry. Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA has already created and will continue to create thousands of direct advanced manufacturing jobs as well as supplier jobs in north Alabama. These are sought-after careers that will provide wages Alabamians can live on with global companies that consistently invest in their workforce and communities. Toyota and Mazda’s monumental presence in Alabama highlights how our state leads the nation in the automotive manufacturing industry.”
The massive complex was up and running in a little over three years.
“Our team members have knocked this out of the park,” said Janette Hostettler, Vice President of Production said in a recent statement. “They are working at the only automotive plant in the world that builds two brand new vehicles on two separate lines. To say I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished would be an understatement.”
“In 2018, Alabama made global headlines as we thanked Akio Toyoda, President of Toyota Corporation, and Masamichi Kogai, President of Mazda, for investing in our state,” Jones said. “Economic development is a team effort. Four-and-a-half years later, we thank again and celebrate everyone who collaborated to make ‘Project New World’ happen.”
Mazda has been building the all-new Mazda CX-50 at the plant since Jan. The all-new CX-50, produced in the US, is made for the North American market, particularly to support the active and outdoor lifestyles of customers in this region. Toyota builds the Corolla Cross at MTM. It has been in production since Sept.
“The CX-50 is purpose-built for the North American driver,” said Mark Brazeal, Vice President of Administration. “And every CX-50 will be assembled right here, in North Alabama by our MTM team members.”
MTM’s arrival in Huntsville only accelerated Huntsville’s explosive growth. Long the fourth largest city in Alabama, Huntsville became Alabama’s largest city officially with the announcement of the 2020 Census results.
“Mazda and Toyota, two of the world’s most innovative automakers, have created a legacy project that will provide jobs for decades to come for Huntsville and Alabama,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “It vaults Alabama to the top as an industry leader in producing the next generation of cars that will power our nation.”
To connect with the author of this story, or to comment, email brandon.moseley@1819News.com.
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