Toyota Motor Manufacturing Texas has filed for a $2 billion expansion of its plant on the South Side that’s expected to bring 2,000 more jobs to the area by 2030.
The automaker plans to add a new vehicle assembly line and manufacturing facility as part of a project dubbed Project Orca, according to documents posted on the Texas comptroller’s website.
Construction is expected to begin this year and be complete by 2030, according to Toyota’s application for state incentives through the Jobs, Energy, Technology and Innovation, or JETI, program.
The company currently produces its full-size Tundra pickups and Sequoia SUVs at its San Antonio factory. Toyota hasn’t said what the new plant will produce, but some in the industry are speculating it could be the midsize Tacoma pickup. A company spokeswoman wouldn’t say whether for it will be for a new type of vehicle or one already in production.
“Our production philosophy is to build where we sell and buy where we build,” she said in a written statement. “We regularly evaluate our manufacturing footprint to ensure we remain competitive and aligned with customer demand.”
The project is expected to generate $346 million in combined tax revenue for the city, Bexar County, Southwest Independent School District, Alamo Community College and University Health over the next 40 years.
A study of the economic impacts of the project estimates that it could create 4,855 additional jobs in the county beyond Toyota’s added employment. It’s expected to add $11.7 billion to the county’s economic output by 2030.
The company recently added a $531 million plant to produce rear axles for Tacomas, Tundras and Sequoias at its 2,000-acre campus. That plant is expected to start production in November.
“This reflects our long-term commitment of investing in the North American region, local manufacturing/jobs, and suppliers,” she said.