Toyota to Build Highlander Hybrid SUV in Indiana

Toyota Motor Corp. announced Wednesday it will invest $400 million to build the Highlander Hybrid SUV at its Princeton, Indiana, plant.

Toyota, Asia's biggest automaker, already makes the gasoline version in Indiana, but the Highlander Hybrid has been assembled in Japan.

The investment will create 400 additional jobs at the Princeton plant, the company said in a statement.

Toyota builds Highlander in China for that market only. Annual Highlander production volume is expected to increase by approximately 50,000 units when the Highlander hybrid is added in late 2013.

Highlander is currently sold in Russia and Australia, and TMMI will export to those countries.

“This project allows for better utilization of the Indiana plant and will help Toyota capitalize on the improving North American and global auto market,” said Steve St. Angelo, executive vice president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. “In addition to new jobs at the Indiana plant, this project will increase opportunities and jobs for our North American supply base.”

The Princeton currently employs 4,800 and builds the Highlander, Sequoia full-size SUV and Sienna minivan.