BUFFALO — Toyota West Virginia announced an $88 million investment into its Putnam County manufacturing facility to support production of the next generation of hybrid transaxles.
While the investment does not immediately create new jobs, Toyota officials said it will help secure the positions of nearly 2,000 existing employees at the Buffalo plant.
“This is a replacement product, so at this point it’s not producing additional jobs,” said David Rosier, president of Toyota West Virginia, in an interview with MetroNews. “But as we see continued growth in the hybrid market there is the potential for job growth in the future.”
The company has now invested approximately $2.8 billion into the West Virginia facility, which will begin production of the new drivetrain components in 2026. Preparation for the production line is expected to begin in the coming days. The sixth-generation hybrid transaxle will support future Toyota and Lexus models assembled in North America.
“We consider this the sixth generation of hybrid transaxle. We currently make the fourth and fifth generation models. The sixth generation fundamentally becomes the replacement for the fourth generation,” Rosier said.
The investment includes new equipment purchases and installation, which will be incorporated into the current plant footprint.
In addition to the plant investment, Toyota also contributed $100,000 to the Marshall University Advanced Manufacturing Center. The donation aims to expand recruitment for skills training programs and promote careers in advanced manufacturing.
“We do a lot of things to focus on workforce development and attracting good talent, but we also recognize we can’t do it all on our own,” Rosier said. “Having key strategic partners in the area and community is key to helping us fulfill that.”
These new investments come as Senate President Randy Smith presides over the West Virginia Senate and works to improve the state’s overall business climate. Smith has emphasized fostering economic development through regulatory reform and workforce readiness—without relying on corporate welfare—seeking to make the Mountain State a more attractive destination for long-term private-sector investment.
West Virginia Gov. Patrick Morrisey also commended the investment.
“I applaud this major investment into our state,” Morrisey said. “As the home of Toyota’s only North American plant for this complex machinery, West Virginia will continue to prioritize economic development and skilled jobs for our workforce. Thank you to Toyota for their commitment to growing their presence here in the Mountain State.”
The investment marks another milestone in West Virginia’s efforts to attract high-tech manufacturing and strengthen its economic future.
