Toyota prepares $531.7 million investment into Texas truck plant

Toyota Motor North America is seeking tax abatements for a potential $531.7 million expansion of its body-on-frame assembly complex near San Antonio, according to public records filings first reported by the San Antonio Express-News.

The project would allow the automaker to manufacture components for vehicle lines at the complex, Automotive News has confirmed, and would add an estimated 411 jobs to the complex, which currently builds the Toyota Tundra full-size pickup and Toyota Sequoia full-size SUV. Details of the project were submitted to Bexar County, Texas, for approval.

Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas opened in 2006 and employs more than 3,800 people. More than 20 on-site suppliers employ an additional 5,600 workers, according to the Japanese automaker.

Asked about the report, a spokesperson for Toyota sent the following statement confirming the details of the automaker's request and said Toyota had no further details to share at this time:

"As stated in the public notice, TMMTX is seeking tax abatements for a potential project totaling $531,720,000, located on our property. We are constantly evaluating our competitiveness and making decisions to support the potential for continued investments across our North American operations, helping to ensure our promise of long-term employment stability. We are always looking for ways to better meet our customers' needs and produce where we sell. We have nothing to announce at this time."

The Express-News reported that Bexar County is offering incentives including a 10-year, 100 percent tax abatement worth $14.7 million and a $250,000 skills development grant based on 250 jobs paying at least $34.55 an hour, or $71,864 annually.

In 2019, the automaker invested $398 million into the plant to prepare for the redesign of its entire body-on-frame lineup onto a new global platform, including the Tundra and Sequoia assembled there.