Toyota Kluger EV firms for 2025
Toyota confirms battery-electric three-row family SUV will be built in the US from mid-decadeToyota USA has announced it will launch an all-new three-row battery-electric SUV in 2025, potentially setting the stage for an all-electric Toyota Kluger or related model to be sold in Australia.
The mystery EV will be built exclusively in Kentucky and powered by batteries sourced from the company’s new purpose-built battery plant in North Carolina, making it the Japanese brand’s first entirely US-built battery-electric vehicle.
It’s unclear whether the “all-new, three-row, battery-electric SUV” – as Toyota is describing it – will be a version of the Toyota Kluger (sold as the Highlander in the US), the larger new Toyota Grand Highlander (not on the agenda for Australia at this stage) or another model.
The Toyota Kluger sold in Australia is sourced out of the company’s Princeton manufacturing plant in Indiana.
“We are committed to reducing carbon emissions as much as possible and as soon as possible,” said Toyota Motor North America president and CEO Ted Ogawa.
“To achieve this goal, customers must have access to a portfolio of options that meet their needs now and in the future.
“It is exciting to see our largest US plant, Toyota Kentucky, and our newest plant, Toyota North Carolina, drive us into the future together with BEV and battery production for our expanding electrified line-up.”
Toyota has been busy trademarking as many ‘bZ’ nameplates as it can Down Under over the past 12 months or so and has already confirmed seven of the 15 EVs planned for release by 2025 will feature as part of the bZ portfolio.
Toyota USA has poured $US5.9 billion ($A8.95b) into the construction of its North Carolina plant, $US2.1b ($A3.2b) of which was announced this week in tandem with the all-electric SUV.
The zero-emissions family SUV will line up against the Kia EV9 – which launches in Australia later this year – and the yet-to-be revealed Hyundai IONIQ 7, among other large three-row EVs heading for the US and the Antipodes.
Related: Toyota Kluger GXL AWD 2023 Review
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