Toyota Plans Prius Production in Mississippi, Again

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Resuming its plans to build the Prius at an idled plant in Blue Springs, Miss., Toyota announced that production would begin “when the [economic] recovery hits full stride,” according to a senior U.S. executive.

Whether that will happen this year remains to be seen, but it indicates that Toyota will not shutter the Blue Springs plant as it did with its joint venture with GM in Fremont, Calif. Right now, the Blue Springs plant is a mostly empty warehouse awaiting even basic machinery.

The automaker was supposed to start production in mid-2008 but delayed because of a weakening economy and weakening car market. The plant has remained empty ever since.

Toyota expects car sales to rise 10% this year, giving it reason to boost production in North America. Right now, competitive labor costs and a relatively weak dollar make it worthwhile to move some Prius production from Japan to the United States.

Toyota Revives Plans to Build Prius Hybrid at Idle Mississippi Plant (Detroit Free Press)