Alex Vega, an 11th-grader at Elkmont High School and second-year student of Limestone County Career Technical Center, applies a coat of paint to the Toyota Corolla prototype supplied to the school by Mazda-Toyota Manufacturing USA. The prototype will receive two coats of a specially made blend of Mazda’s Soul Red, Toyota’s Barcelona Red and Alabama’s state flag crimson.

After being sworn in to her first full term as governor Monday, Kay Ivey told those in attendance bringing “more good paying jobs” would continue to be a focus of her administration.

Last January, Ivey welcomed Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S.A. to Huntsville-annexed Limestone County. The announcement, which came with a promise of a $1.6 billion investment and 4,000 jobs, helped bolster Ivey’s reputation as a jobs creator with voters.

The MTMUSA plant is now under construction and should begin producing cars by 2021. The facility will produce Toyota Corollas and Mazda’s new crossover vehicle.

With or without the MTMUSA announcement, Toyota’s roots in the Tennessee Valley were already deep. Since 2003, Toyota Motor Manufacturing Alabama has operated a facility in the North Huntsville Industrial Park. The plant employs about 1,400 team members, some of which are Limestone residents.

“The impact Toyota has had on our community cannot be overstated. Whether it’s committing their time, talent or treasure, Toyota team members are there serving on boards or sponsoring events,” said Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle. “Toyota also serves as a excellent example of our what the workforce is like because of its reputation for excellence. Having Toyota in your community is like receiving a Good House Keeping Seal of Approval on the quality of your workforce.”

Toyota officials have not said if the existing Huntsville plant would supply engines for the MTMUSA facility when it opens. At the November groundbreaking, Mark Brazeal, vice president of administration for Mazda Toyota Manufacturing U.S.A., said it would certainly be feasible.

“We have a very successful engine plant that’s been in this community for 16 or 17 years,” he said. “With a big part like that, you’re better off being able to source it closely. It’s certainly my dream to make the engine here.”

When asked about it Monday, a Toyota spokesperson said she could not comment on future product plans.

“Toyota is always exploring opportunities to help better meet customer needs and market demand,” said Kim Ogle, corporate communications analyst.

A year of growth

On Monday, Toyota shared successes from the previous year, including the fact its employees had produced 630,000 engines for RAV4, Highlander, Tacoma, Tundra and Sequoia vehicles. The plant hit another milestone in August when engine number 6 million was completed.

The Alabama engine plant continues to be the only plant to build four- cylinder, six-cylinder and eight-cylinder engines under one roof.

“These engines powered one-third of Toyota vehicles built in the U.S., making the plant a critical part of the supply chain for Toyota operations and one of the largest Toyota engine plants globally,” said a press release from Toyota.

The future

Toyota has been an active community partner, especially in terms of education and workforce development efforts. In 2016, the company donated 45 engines to tech schools in North Alabama counties. The Limestone County Career Technical Center received two engines.

Officials at the center told The News Courier two more engines would be provided this week.

Earlier this month, Toyota gave the tech center the body of a prototype Toyota Corolla, which will be built at the MTMUSA facility in Huntsville. On Monday, the students painted the car.

The color is a blend of three paints — Mazda red, Toyota red and Alabama flag crimson. It will be used as an interview tool for potential MTMUSA employees.

The press release said Toyota Alabama supported more than 40 local nonprofits in 2018 by investing more than $700,000, “to further our community in the areas of education, mobility, environmental, human services and diversity,” which included donations of engines and vehicles.

The release said to date, Toyota has donated $10 million to support local nonprofits and educational programs in North Alabama.