Toyota To Build Prius In Blue Springs, Mississippi

by Heather

Toyota Motors (NYSE:TM) recently announced plans to build their eco-friendly hybrid car, the Prius at a new facility currently under construction in Blue Springs, Mississippi.

Production is expected to begin in late 2010.

This decision was spurred by growing demands for smaller, more fuel efficient vehicles. Originally the Blue Springs factory was going to be used to manufacture the Highlander a mid size Sports Utility Vehicle. Production of the Highlander will be moved to Princeton, Indiana in the fall of 2009.

Deeply lower demand for large trucks is also consolidating the manufacture of the Toyota Tundra to their plant in San Antonio. The Tundra is now built in Indiana and Texas. Toyota is suspending production of the Tundra and the Sequoia on August 8, 2008 with production expected to resume in early November.

Toyota stock is in the low $90’s in late morning trading today.