Toyota/Mazda Venture Should Help Address Tacoma Shortage

The Japanese automaker has struggled to crank out enough of the segment-leading midsize pickup at its Texas and Mexico factories, even with years of overtime. Now, thanks to the partnership announced last week with Mazda, Toyota North America CEO Jim Lentz is prepared to turn on the spigot to fend off midsize pickup challengers.

Toyota will build a $1.6 billion U.S. auto plant at a site to be chosen in a 50-50 partnership with Mazda that nets each of them 150,000 vehicles a year in additional capacity. Production at the plant is to start in 2021.

MDarringer - 8/7/2017 11:47:14 AM

-4 Boost

Toyota could have EASILY built a Tacoma plant. Teaming with Mazda has nothing to do with it. Mazda does not need another 150K units given their sputtering sales.