It seems there’s no part of American heartland Toyota can’t win over. After entering NASCAR in 2004 as the sport’s first-ever factory-backed effort from an import brand—and establishing itself in the South and Midwest with six assembly plants starting in 1983—the Japanese stalwart is now moving its U.S. corporate headquarters to Texas. (Does this explain the recent rumors of a Lexus TX crossover?)
By early 2017, about 4000 employees will relocate to Plano, less than 20 miles north of Dallas, to a brand-new facility that will consolidate Toyota’s three separate operations under one roof. The move will close Toyota’s manufacturing HQ in Erlanger, Kentucky; its sales HQ in Torrance, California; and a corporate office in New York City. Toyota’s San Antonio plant, which opened in 2006 to build the Tundra and Tacoma pickups, lies about 300 miles to the south and employs 2900 people.
A few employees will move this year into a temporary facility before ground is broken on the new building in the fall. Toyota’s regional offices for PR, finance, and Lexus are not moving. Its California design studio, Michigan technical center, and Toyota Racing Development office are staying put, too. Most employees will be offered a relocation incentive, but as with any major corporate move, not all will choose to make the journey.
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Texas, which doesn’t have corporate or individual income taxes, has been aggressive in courting outside businesses under Governor Rick Perry. Toyota received a $40 million grant from the state and is expected to spend at least $300 million on the new headquarters, while the automaker will no doubt save some serious cash over the long haul (which means cheaper Camrys for everyone, right?). Tesla is also eying the Lone Star state as a site for its upcoming $4 billion battery plant.
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