Toyota begins Grand Highlander production in Gibson County
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Toyota Indiana on Wednesday marked the beginning of production on the first-ever Grand Highlander SUV at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Indiana plant in Princeton.
The event included the announcement of a five-year, $11.1 million commitment to preparing area students for future STEM careers.
The production of the three-row SUV is part of Toyota’s more than $800 million investment in the Gibson County plant announced in 2021, which would support the production of two new vehicles and the creation of 1,400 jobs.
The Toyota USA Foundation also announced the $11.1 million in Driving Possibilities grants during a news conference on Wednesday. The grant program, the automaker said, focuses on PreK-12 education “to ensure all students have access to rewarding careers, including opportunities in the auto industry.”
The initial funding, totaling up to $4.2 million in the first year, will be distributed to the Evansville-Vanderburgh School Corp. and North Gibson School Corp., as well as Building Blocks and Youth First Inc. in Evansville.
The grants will provide, among other resources, access to hands-on STEM programs for students and teachers.
“Toyota is always looking to the future, by introducing new products like the Grand Highlander, and innovative community initiatives like Driving Possibilities,” Toyota Indiana President Leah Curry said in a news release. “Driving Possibilities sets the foundation for powerful learning experiences to prepare area students for future STEM careers.”
The 4.5 million-square-foot TMMI plant produced its first vehicle in 1998. In addition to the Grand Highlander, the facility produces the Highlander, Highlander Hybrid and Sienna Hybrid models.
Toyota employs more than 7,200 people at the plant, which has produced more than 350,000 vehicles since operations began.