Shanell Spears, team leader on the hybrid transaxle line, is pictured on May 17, 2024. The line has the maximum capacity to produce 30,000 units per month, company officials said.
BUFFALO, W.Va. Ƶ announced Wednesday the start of production for the next generation of the companyƵs hybrid transaxle.
David Rosier, Toyota West Virginia president, said the plant at Buffalo in Putnam County will be the companyƵs only North America facility to build the fifth-generation of the component of a hybrid vehicle that transfers power among the engine, motor and wheels.
Rosier
Courtesy photo
ƵThink of the hybrid transaxle as the next generation of a traditional vehicle transmission,Ƶ Rosier said. ƵHybrid electric vehicle systems combine two separate sources of propulsions, such as an internal combustion engine and an electric motor. Hybrid transaxle can transfer power seamlessly between the engine, electric motor and the wheels and they are also far more fuel efficient.Ƶ
Rosier said the hybrid transaxle will be part of the drive train on all-new Toyota Camry and Corolla Cross and eventually the new RAV4.
ƵOur hybrid transaxle line has the maximum capacity to produce 30,000 units per month,Ƶ he said. ƵWe didnƵt start at max capacity and are currently going to produce about 20,000 per month and then will go to full capacity when the RAV4 changes over by middle or end of next year.Ƶ
Rosier called the fifth-generation hybrid transaxle a challenging and complex piece of machinery. Of the companyƵs approximately 2,000 team members, about 300 will work on the hybrid transaxle line over two work shifts.
ƵOur team members have the knowhow, expertise and determination to assemble some of the highest quality hybrid transaxles on the road today,Ƶ he said. ƵWe couldnƵt have accomplished this without them.Ƶ
Shanell Spears, team leader on the hybrid transaxle line, is pictured on May 17, 2024. The line has the maximum capacity to produce 30,000 units per month, company officials said.
Submitted photo
Shanell Spears, team leader on the hybrid transaxle line, said the team is not afraid of a challenge.
ƵWe all understand how important this project is,Ƶ she said.
While the new production did not create any new jobs, the milestone reflects ToyotaƵs commitment to electrification and long-term job stability, Rosier added.
ƵWe have been in Putnam County for the past 27 years, and investments like this in the West Virginia plant ensure we will be here for many years to come,Ƶ he said.
Rosier said hybrid electric vehicles are a key component of the companyƵs portfolio approach to vehicle electrification.
ƵToyota West Virginia is on the leading edge of our companyƵs electrified future,Ƶ he said.
Ƶsembly of the new transaxles is a result of more than $300 million in previously at the plant.
Fred Pace is the regional business reporter for HD Media. Follow him at and via X (formerly Twitter) @FredPaceHD.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd,
racist or sexually-oriented language. PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK. Don't Threaten. Threats of harming another
person will not be tolerated. Be Truthful. Don't knowingly lie about anyone
or anything. Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism
that is degrading to another person. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on
each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness
accounts, the history behind an article.
