Japanese automaker Toyota, which is accelerating the transition from combustion engine vehicles to electric vehicles, will convert two powertrain plants in Japan into battery production sites. The factory revamp is part of a $5.6 billion investment plan Toyota announced last week.
The Shimoyama engine plant and Myochi powertrain plant, located near Toyota's global headquarters, will be converted to produce electric vehicle batteries. Battery production at both plants will be handled by Prime Planet Energy & Solutions, a battery joint venture between Toyota and Panasonic.
The latest figures available show that as of 2011, Toyota's Shimoyama plant, which makes engines and fuel tanks for fuel-cell vehicles, employed 1,700 people. The Mingzhi plant employs approximately 1,500 people and produces cast and machined powertrain and resin components.
