Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant has begun assembly of the all-new RAV4 Hybrid, supported by $2 billion in investments announced over the past two years. The automaker also broke ground this week on a new paint facility at the site, which the company says will cut carbon emissions by 30 percent and save approximately 1.5 million gallons of water a year. The start of production coincides with the plant’s 40th year, one of several Toyota U.S. plant anniversaries this year.
Highlights
- Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant has begun production of the all-new RAV4 Hybrid, backed by $2 billion in investments over the past two years.
- A new paint facility broke ground at the site; Toyota says it will reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent and save about 1.5 million gallons of water annually.
- The plant will add the Highlander Battery Electric Vehicle in September 2026, expanding its electrified lineup.
- Toyota committed a $500,000 grant to Bluegrass Community and Technical College; the plant has drawn more than $12 billion in total investment, assembled 15 million vehicles, and employs nearly 10,000 workers.
RAV4 Hybrid Joins an Expanding Electrified Lineup
Toyota Kentucky is adding the all-new RAV4 Hybrid as it works to meet rising demand for electrified vehicles. The plant’s evolving lineup supports Toyota’s multi-pathway approach to electrification and will also add the Highlander Battery Electric Vehicle in September 2026. The RAV4, which Toyota bills as America’s best-selling small SUV, returns to U.S. production at the Georgetown site.
“Making our customers smile by delivering high-quality vehicles like the all-new RAV4 Hybrid has been our legacy for 40 years,” said Kerry Creech, president of Toyota Kentucky. “The milestones we celebrate today reflect our team’s commitment to sustainability and our unwavering promise to continue to deliver vehicles our customers love.”
A Lower-Emissions Paint Facility
Construction has started on the plant’s new paint facility, which Toyota describes as a benchmark for efficiency and product flexibility. The company says the facility will reduce carbon emissions by 30 percent and save approximately 1.5 million gallons of water each year.
Workforce Grant and Plant Milestones
Toyota Kentucky is backing regional workforce development with a $500,000 grant to Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) to support a new regional workforce training facility. The initiative will provide hands-on training for students and current workers across the Bluegrass region.
“Toyota’s investment reflects a deep commitment to our community and its future,” said Dr. Greg Feeney, Chancellor and CEO, BCTC. “The regional workforce training center is critical for preparing Central Kentucky’s workforce for today’s advanced manufacturing environment and the evolving challenges of the future. Through customized skills training we are creating more opportunities for career growth and strengthening the workforce that powers our region.”
The Georgetown plant has drawn more than $12 billion in total investment and assembled 15 million vehicles, and it now employs nearly 10,000 people. Four other Toyota U.S. plants are marking anniversaries this year.
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