TOYOTA DOUBLES DOWN ON REGION

Over 15 years ago, Toyota selected San Antonio as the location for a new manufacturing facility, committing to add 2,000 new jobs in the San Antonio region, forever changing the growth trajectory of San Antonio’s manufacturing industry. Today, Toyota directly employs over 3,200 team members and through its 23 on-site supplier network, total employment at the plant’s site tops 7,200. Toyota recently announced it is doubling down on San Antonio, committing to invest $391 million at its truck assembly plant on the Southside of town.

This announcement marks yet another milestone in San Antonio’s longstanding relationship with the Japanese automaker. Since joining the San Antonio community, Toyota has invested in building a network of suppliers and workforce to support the operations. Toyota already contributes $1.5 million annually to workforce development and education in San Antonio. The new investment also comes with a commitment by Toyota Texas to continue funding local workforce development, shown in part, by a $500,000 donation to Alamo Promise over five years. Alamo Promise aims to promote economic mobility through education, providing free two-year education through San Antonio’s community college district, Alamo Colleges.

“This is a significant gain for the manufacturing sector in our entire region. Working together, we can compete for and win investment from global companies like Toyota,” said SAEDF Chairman David McGee.

As it did when Toyota first arrived in San Antonio, the project has spurred additional investment from suppliers who will support the Southside plant’s production. Aisin AW, a supplier to Toyota Texas and other automakers, announced that it will invest $400 million and bring 900 new jobs to a future facility in nearby Cibolo, TX. This investment is an indication of the potential multiplier impact Toyota’s doubling down on San Antonio could have.

A recent economic impact study conducted by Dr. Steven Nivin, Assistant Professor of Economics at St. Mary’s University, calculated the 10-year impact of the recently announced Toyota expansion and two related suppliers. The conservative impact was quoted at more than $10 billion in 10 years, with an employment multiplier of 40,000 jobs. Holistically, recent manufacturing projects in the region are expected to generate increased economic activity, creating a ripple effect in the community. We could see those numbers grow as more suppliers, like Aisin, can assess our region and decide to locate closer to Toyota.

This project is another example that South Central Texas is a place where manufacturers can thrive. The San Antonio region is preparing for the long game, which means further building the ecosystem of suppliers, distributors, and workforce that make companies successful.