News · 30 Dec 2010 · Car Deal Expert Editorial Team
Originally published 2010-12-30. This article is part of the CarDealExpert historical archive — see our latest UK car-finance, insurance and used-car coverage in the menu above.
The Blue Springs, Mississippi Toyota plant whose construction went on hiatus as the U.S. economy tanked in 2008. Now construction will resume, says Toyota. (Photo: Mississippi Development Authority)
In a move that will bring 2,000 jobs to the beleaguered state, construction will resume on the Mississippi Toyota plant in Blue Springs. The Associated Press reports that Toyota’s estimate is that the plant should be fully operational by the fall of 2011. It had originally been slated for completion in 2010, but the recession that began in 2008 made the economic climate unfavorable.
The Mississippi Toyota plant will make Corollas
The initial production line that the Mississippi Toyota plant was slated to handle was the Toyota Prius hybrid vehicle, but now the Blue Springs facility will construct 150,000 Corolla compact cars each year, according to Toyota. Whatever the case, experts predict that this move will go a long way toward repairing Toyota’s image, particularly in North America. Massive safety recalls amount to more than 9 million vehicles worldwide since October 2009, with most of those occurring within the U.S.
U.S. Toyota plant closures were unpopular
New United Motor Manufacturing Inc. (NUMMI), a California plant Toyota shared with GM, was scrapped once the recession and recalls saddled Toyota with massive debt. Toyota President Akio Toyoda tried to repair some of the damage by allying Toyota with Tesla Motors in the San Francisco area, but Toyota still had their work cut out for them.
Gov. Haley Barbour welcomes Toyota back to Blue Springs
Regarding the re-emergence of the Mississippi Toyota plant, Gov. Haley Barbour told the AP:
“We’re delighted but not surprised. We’ve had good reason to keep our faith in them. Through a global economic crisis, Toyota kept its financial commitments to the state and to local schools, proving they are not just the world’s premier automaker but a valuable community partner as well.”
Toyota’s value to Blue Springs in terms of Mississippi jobs is obvious, as is the overall affect the Mississippi Toyota plant will have on the Mississippi economy. While profits for the automaker remain shaky, this move may be the recovery sign investors have been waiting for, indicates the AP.
Need auto loans?
Sources:
Related Video:
From the current CDE newsroom
New Audi RS5 e-hybrid: 639PS plug-in, £89,400 and what UK buyers getAudi RS5 e-hybrid UK price from £89,400: 639PS plug-in V6, 50-plus EV miles and what new buyers get. Orders op...
Audi Nuvolari revealed: the V8 successor to the R8Audi Nuvolari revealed: a 1,001 PS V8 hybrid successor to the R8, 499 units, deliveries from 2027. UK price no...
JLR mild-hybrid power-loss recall: what UK owners must checkJLR mild hybrid recall: which 2019-2024 MHEV Range Rover, Defender and Jaguar models are affected and how UK o...
Buyer action
Where to check next
Use this as the final check before paying a deposit, signing finance paperwork or relying on a headline monthly figure.
