Toyota had already confirmed it might construct a brand new, three-row electrical SUV within the US – and now it has introduced it’s constructing one other.
The Japanese big is investing an extra US$1.4 billion (A$2.16bn) in its Princeton, Indiana plant, which is able to construct the brand new, unspecified three-row electrical SUV (which it says is a unique automobile to the one it had beforehand introduced).
The plant will even obtain a battery pack meeting line that can use lithium-ion batteries from the US$13.9 billion (A$21.48bn) Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina plant set to begin manufacturing in 2025.
The Indiana plant presently produces the Highlander, identified right here because the Kluger, in addition to the associated Toyota Grand Highlander and Lexus TX crossovers plus the Toyota Sienna folks mover.
Toyota introduced in February it was investing US$1.3 billion (A$2bn) in its Georgetown, Kentucky plant, which presently manufactures the Camry, to supply a brand new three-row electrical SUV.
This plant will even use batteries sourced from the North Carolina facility.
Toyota says since 2021 it has introduced new investments totalling US$18.6 billion (A$28.75bn) into electrification efforts throughout its US manufacturing operations.
The corporate has neither mentioned when these two separate three-row SUVs shall be launched, nor what they are going to be referred to as.
Automotive Information experiences the Kentucky-built automobile will enter manufacturing in 2026 and be referred to as the bZ5X.
In response to Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana president Tim Hollander, it received’t characteristic skateboard-style development like many EVs, the place the battery pack turns into a structural aspect of the physique.
That factors to it doubtlessly being an electrical model of an present combustion-powered automobile. Given the Grand Highlander was solely launched in 2023 (together with the intently associated Lexus TX), it shapes because the more than likely candidate for electrical energy.
One other current report from CarBuzz steered one of many upcoming SUVs will change the present Kluger/Highlander, although that is nonetheless an enormous vendor for the model.
Within the US it was the seventh best-selling automobile in its fashionable section final yr, whereas right here it was the fifth best-selling automobile within the giant SUV section.
Final yr, Toyota revealed a three-row electrical SUV idea referred to as the LandCruiser Se.
This measures 5150mm lengthy, 1990mm huge and 1705mm tall and rides a 3050mm wheelbase.
Not like different LandCruiser fashions, this incorporates a unibody – as an alternative of body-on-frame – structure, which factors to a extra road-going focus than extra rugged ‘Cruisers just like the Prado.
Again in 2021, a separate giant SUV was amongst a raft of electrical ideas previewed by the model, which additionally included a seemingly intently associated Lexus model.
Whereas Toyota is increasing its bZ line of electrical automobiles, just one – the bZ4X – is a world mannequin.
The bZ3 sedan, in addition to the bZ3X and bZ3C crossovers not too long ago revealed on the Beijing motor present, are anticipated to stay unique to China.
