Toyota is preparing a three-row electric SUV manufactured in Kentucky.
Toyota recently unveiled a massive $1.3 billion investment in its Kentucky plant to strengthen the production of electrified vehicles. This injection of funds includes the creation of a new battery block production unit, powered by lithium-ion batteries from a plant located in North Carolina.
While the production timeline for the SUV was not specified, Toyota announced last year its intention to start production of a three-row electric SUV in the United States by 2025. The battery plant in North Carolina is also expected to be operational by this time.
The three-row electric SUV was showcased as a concept by Toyota at the end of 2021 when they announced their goal of launching 30 electric vehicles by 2030 under the Toyota and Lexus brands. Additionally, an electric Land Cruiser concept was revealed last year.
Lexus, Toyota’s luxury subsidiary, also plans to launch its own three-row electric SUV, potentially built alongside the Toyota model at the Kentucky plant, where Lexus’ ES is already produced.
The three-row electric SUV, which could be named TZ based on recent hints, could serve as an electric alternative to Lexus’ gasoline-powered TX SUV, set to be released for the 2024 model year. The TX, a midsize SUV with a third row of seats, seems to have its electric counterpart in the TZ project.
With this investment announcement, Toyota’s financial commitments to electrification in North America now total $17 billion since 2021, highlighting its growing commitment to the transition to electric mobility.