Alabama team talks future with Mazda, Toyota officials in Japan
Alabama Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield and Huntsville-area officials held meetings this week with executives of Mazda and Toyota to expand relationships as the automakers prepare to officially launch construction on a $1.6 billion Alabama assembly plant. The mission began Monday, when the Alabama group traveled to Toyota’s Motomachi assembly plant and met with members of the Toyota USA executive team. On Tuesday, the group was in Mazda’s hometown of Hiroshima to learn more about Alabama’s newest automotive manufacturer. “During these visits with the executive headquarters teams of Toyota in Toyota City and Mazda in Hiroshima, we have learned more about each company and their vision for this joint venture that is already taking shape in Huntsville, Alabama,” Canfield said. “We have had rare opportunities to learn more about the new technologies that will be employed and how each company’s respective philosophies will be reflected at the new Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA Inc. production facility,” he added. During a tour of Mazda’s Hiroshima facilities, the Alabama team met with Kiyotaka Shobuda, director and managing executive officer, center, and Masashi Aihara, president of Mazda Toyota Manufacturing, far right. (contributed) Alabama assembly plant Mazda and Toyota announced their plans for the joint Huntsville production center in January. The plant will employ 4,000 people and produce 300,000 vehicles per year, split evenly between a new Mazda crossover and the Toyota Corolla sedan. The first vehicles are expected to roll off the assembly lines at Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, as the venture is called, in 2021, indicating a rapid time line for construction at the Huntsville site. Those joining Canfield on the trip to Japan include Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Madison County Commission Chairman Dale Strong, Huntsville/Madison County Chamber CEO Chip Cherry and Lucia Cape, the chamber’s senior vice president for economic development. Others are Paul Finley, mayor of Madison; Jason Black, Limestone County commissioner; Rick Tucker, executive director of the Port of Huntsville; and Kim Lewis, chair-elect of the Huntsville/Madison Chamber. Hollie Pegg, assistant director of business development for Asian strategy at the Alabama Department of Commerce, is also on the mission. Representatives of Toyota Motor Manufacturing of Alabama attended as well. “These meetings in Japan with the Mazda and Toyota corporations have created an even greater sense of understanding of the partnership and commitment that has been created with two of the world’s most renowned automakers, while engineering, road design and site prep continues on more than 2,000 acres locally,” Strong said. He added that the Mazda Toyota assembly plant project “will be a redefining moment for North Alabama.” Mazda connection While Alabama officials have long had deep ties to Toyota, which has operated an engine plant in Huntsville for more than a decade, Canfield said this week’s discussions in Hiroshima provided an opportunity to forge a deeper relationship with Mazda and its executive team. In addition, the discussions centered on how AIDT, the state’s primary workforce development agency, will help the automakers reach an aggressive employment ramp-up at the new plant. Ed Castile, director of AIDT and deputy secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, will be in Hiroshima on Friday to tour Mazda’s production and training facilities. Canfield said the meetings with the Mazda executives will help the Alabama team develop a strategy for securing the supply chain for the automaker’s first U.S. assembly plant. Masamichi Kogai, president and chief executive officer of Mazda Motor Corp., speaks at the January announcement of the Toyota-Mazda plant coming to Huntsville. (file) “Our meetings with the Mazda executive team, and the production facility visits that accompanied them, afforded Team Alabama the best opportunity to deepen our understanding of what is at the core of Mazda,” he said. “We have learned how Mazda embraces the principle of ‘Monotsukuri Innovation’ in pursuit of achieving quality in production that reflects the belief that though they make many vehicles, each customer sees only the one vehicle. “This is a very driver-driven company,” he added. “They want drivers of Mazdas to have fun with the driving experience. They want their customers to feel the ‘Zoom Zoom’ that is built into every Mazda.” Besides touring Toyota’s Motomachi plant, the Alabama group visited the automaker’s Kaikan Museum, seeing some of the company’s newest automotive technologies and smart cars. “I can’t stress enough the importance of relationships in doing business with our overseas partners,” Battle said. “If we had not already established a long-standing collaborative relationship with Toyota, we would not have landed the new Mazda-Toyota plant. These commitments don’t just happen in 15-minute meetings or phone calls. There is a long process of communication, listening and work toward mutual respect before we develop a trusted business relationship.” Cherry said the longstanding relationship with Toyota played a key role in securing the new assembly plant for Huntsville. Later this week, an Alabama delegation will attend the 41st annual meeting of SEUS Japan, an international conference in Tokyo that aims to broaden economic and cultural ties between seven Southeastern states and Japan. This story originally appeared on the Alabama Department of Commerce’s Made in Alabama website. Republished with permission from the Alabama NewsCenter.
Critically endangered fish holds up Toyota-Mazda plant construction
A tiny endangered fish is holding up big plans in Huntsville. Toyota officials announced Thursday, that a lawsuit overs the spring pygmy sunfish — a small freshwater fish known from only one spring complex in the Tennessee River watershed. It is so rare that it was twice thought to be extinct — has halted construction on the new Toyota-Mazda plant in the Rocket City. The lawsuit Filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia, the lawsuit filed by the Center for Biological Diversity explains the fish, which measures about 1 inch or less in length and received status as an endangered species in 2013, was never designated a critical habitat. The U.S Fish and Wildlife Service is legally obligation to do one year after a species is labeled as endangered. The suit claims the last remaining habitat for the fish, which now only lives in a space measuring six stream miles near the Beaverdam Spring and Creek watershed, is at risk of being destroyed with the plans to build the automotive plant on the existing habitat. “We won’t let this rare fish wait any longer for the habitat protections it’s guaranteed under the Endangered Species Act,” said Elise Bennett, an attorney at the Center. “Reckless development has already sent this little fish diving toward the brink of extinction. The Fish and Wildlife Service needs to protect the sunfish’s habitat immediately before this massive manufacturing plant destroys what’s left of it.” Toyota-Mazda plans In January, Toyota Motor Corp. and Mazda Motor Corp. announced plans to build a massive automobile manufacturing plant in Huntsville, adjacent to the Beaverdam Spring Complex. Set to open in 2021 the plant is expected to produce 300,000 vehicles a year, and employ up to 4,000 people. “This is a short-term suspension that reflects a shared goal of environmental preservation by Mazda, Toyota and the city of Huntsville,” according to the city’s statement. “Crews anticipate construction to resume shortly with minimal disruption.”
Alabama team returns home after productive talks in Japan
Gov. Kay Ivey said meetings with high-level executives from Mazda, Toyota and Honda in Japan helped to fortify the state’s relationships with the global automakers and will facilitate their growth plans in Alabama. Ivey, Commerce Secretary Greg Canfield and a team of Alabama economic development specialists returned home Thursday after talks with the automakers and an appointment with Bill Hagerty, the U.S. Ambassador to Japan. The group traveled to Tokyo on Tuesday. “Creating jobs is a team effort built upon solid relationships with business and industry leaders. When Mazda Toyota Manufacturing announced they were coming to Alabama, they chose to make this announcement in Montgomery, a sign of their support for the current direction of our state and a clear indication of the quality of our relationship,” Ivey said. “By visiting with Mazda, Toyota and Honda in their home country, we have continued to kindle our relationship with these fine companies and have returned the respect they showed by meeting with me at the state Capitol in recent months.” Mazda-Toyota appointment The Japan mission took place amid preparations by Mazda and Toyota to construct a $1.6 billion assembly plant in Huntsville that will have 4,000 workers and produce 300,000 vehicles per year. When production launches in 2021, Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA, as the alliance is known, will become the first new assembly facility to open in Alabama since Hyundai opened a plant in Montgomery in 2005. “A goal of the mission was to reiterate our support for the development and implementation of the Mazda-Toyota joint venture’s supply chain strategy for the new assembly plant,” Canfield said. “The supplier network will be substantial, and we’d like to see it anchored in Alabama.” Mazda and Toyota executives told the Alabama team the project remains on target, with construction work at the Limestone County site scheduled to begin by Oct. 1. The Alabama officials assured the automakers that the site will be graded and prepared for construction on that timeline. Ivey told the automakers that AIDT, the state’s primary workforce development agency, is ready to engage with them on developing a workforce program and suggested a near-term meeting to launch the process. AIDT has been involved in preparing Alabama’s auto industry workforce for a quarter century. “Alabama has a wealth of resources that can help these great automakers build their business in the state, ranging from first-class contractors that can assist with construction to research universities eager to collaborate with them to discover technical advances and new processes,” Ivey said. “With this mission, we strengthened our critically important partnerships with these automakers and continued to make clear our commitment to helping them create jobs and grow over the long term, not just in their current locations, but throughout Alabama.” Honda appointment During a visit to Honda, the Alabama team spoke with Yohshi Yamane, a senior managing director, and received an update on an expansion at the automaker’s Talladega County plant that was announced in 2017. The $85 million project is designed to improve manufacturing flexibility at the Alabama factory. The group also got a briefing on possible new advanced technologies that could be introduced at the plant. Ivey and Canfield met Tsutomu “Mori” Morimoto, who became president of Honda Manufacturing of Alabama on April 1. He was previously president of Honda’s Canada operation. Honda’s $2.6 billion Alabama facility has more than 4,500 employees and produces around 340,000 vehicles and V-6 engines each year. During the appointment with Ambassador Hagerty, the discussion focused on the strength of the U.S. auto industry, particularly in the Southeast, where the sector continues to expand. Employment in the state’s auto industry employment today tops 40,000, a figure that has increased 150 percent since 2000, according to data from the Alabama Department of Commerce. Republished with the permission of the Alabama Newscenter.
Ivey leads Alabama team in talks with Japanese automakers
Gov. Kay Ivey is leading a small team of Alabama economic development specialists on a business development mission to Japan for high-level meetings with leaders of global automakers Toyota, Mazda and Honda. The Alabama delegation is departing for Japan today and will return on Thursday following appointments in Tokyo. The mission’s strategic goal is to facilitate growth in the state’s automotive sector and extend relationships with the manufacturers. Bill Hagerty is the U.S. ambassador to Japan. (contributed) “The auto industry has been a key driver of economic growth in Alabama for two decades, and we want to make sure we’re positioned to see that growth accelerate in coming years,” Ivey said. “It’s important that we work closely with these automakers to ensure they thrive in Alabama because that will bring more jobs and investment to the state.” In addition to meeting with executives from the three automakers, the Alabama group will visit the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to meet with Ambassador Bill Hagerty. There, the discussion is expected to center on the business climate in Japan and unfolding trade developments affecting both countries. “Ambassador Hagerty was one of the first people to call me and congratulate Alabama on attracting the Toyota-Mazda investment. This meeting shows the importance that Alabama plays on the world stage and I appreciate the work the ambassador does on behalf of our nation,” Ivey said. “I look forward to the meeting and to working with him to continue the strong relationship between Japan and Alabama.” Mission agenda The Japan mission comes as the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA joint venture partnership is beginning to move forward with plans for a $1.6 billion assembly plant in Huntsville that will employ 4,000 people and spawn a significant network of suppliers. Greg Canfield, secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the discussions with Mazda and Toyota executives will focus on moving the assembly plant project forward. In addition, the talks will center on how their critical supply chain can be filled out leading up to a planned production launch in 2021. “While we have a longstanding relationship with Toyota, we’re still developing bonds with Mazda, which has no manufacturing presence in the U.S.,” Canfield said. “We can use our extensive experience in assisting automakers expand their footprint to help the company build out a productive and efficient operation in Alabama.” Leaders from Toyota and Mazda announced their decision in January 2018 to open the assembly plant at a site in Huntsville that’s just 14 miles from a Toyota engine plant that has almost 1,400 workers after multiple expansions. Joining Ivey and Canfield in the meetings with Mazda and Toyota executives will be Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Bill Johnson and Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison County Chamber of Commerce. Steve Pelham, Ivey’s chief of staff, and Hollie Pegg, assistant director of business development at the Alabama Department of Commerce, will also be included in these meetings. Honda appointment Ivey, Canfield, Pelham and Pegg will also engage in talks with leaders of Honda, which operates a $2.6 billion assembly plant in Talladega County with 4,500 full-time workers. In early 2017, Honda announced an $85 million expansion as part of a multi-phase project to improve manufacturing flexibility at the Alabama factory and prepare it for future technologies. Canfield said the meetingAla with Honda is meant to reinforce Alabama’s strong relationship with the automaker and discuss how the state can support the facility’s new leadership and future growth plans. “Honda is a very important member of the Alabama automotive manufacturing family, and we’re committed to working closely with this great company as it pursues new levels of success at its Talladega County operation,” he said. Ivey said she hopes these meetings will lead to additional economic growth for Alabama and more trade between the state and Japan. Republished with the permission of Alabama Newscenter.
Kay Ivey travels to Japan, meets with automakers
Gov. Kay Ivey departed for Japan Tuesday with a small team of Alabama economic development specialists on a business development mission. There, they’ll attend high-level meetings with executives of global automakers Toyota, Mazda and Honda with the strategic goal to facilitate growth in the state’s automotive sector and reinforce relationships with the manufacturers. The Alabama delegation will return Thursday following the appointments in Tokyo. “The auto industry has been a key driver of economic growth in Alabama for two decades, and we want to make sure we’re positioned to see that growth accelerate in coming years,” Ivey said. “It’s important that we work closely with these automakers to ensure they thrive in Alabama, because that will bring more jobs and investment to the state.” The Japan mission comes as the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA joint venture partnership is beginning to move forward with plans for a $1.6 billion assembly plant in Huntsville that will employ 4,000 people and spawn a significant network of suppliers. Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the discussions with Mazda and Toyota executives will focus on moving the assembly plant project forward. In addition, the talks will center on how their supply chain can be filled leading up to a production launch in 2021. “While we have a longstanding relationship with Toyota, we’re still developing bonds with Mazda, which has no manufacturing presence in the U.S.,” Canfield said. “We can use our extensive experience in assisting automakers expand their footprint to help the company build out a productive and efficient operation in Alabama.” Joining Governor Ivey and Secretary Canfield in the meetings with Mazda and Toyota executives will be Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Bill Johnson, and Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce. Steve Pelham, Governor Ivey’s Chief of Staff, and Hollie Pegg, Assistant Director of Business Development at the Alabama Department of Commerce, will also be included in these meetings. Honda Appointment The state team, minus the Huntsville representatives, will also engage in talks with leaders of Honda, which operates a $2.6 billion assembly plant in Talladega County with 4,500 full-time workers. In early 2017, Honda announced an $85 million expansion as part of a multi-phase project to improve manufacturing flexibility at the Alabama factory and prepare it for future technologies. Canfield said the meeting with Honda is meant to reinforce Alabama’s strong relationship with the automaker and discuss how the state can support the facility’s new leadership and future growth plans. “Honda is a very important member of the Alabama automotive manufacturing family, and we’re committed to working closely with this great company as it pursues new levels of success at its Talladega County operation,” he said. Meeting with Ambassador In addition, the Alabama group will visit the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo to meet with Ambassador Bill Hagerty for a discussion expected to center on the current business climate in Japan and unfolding trade developments affecting the two countries. “Ambassador Hagerty was one of the first people to call me and congratulate Alabama on attracting the Toyota-Mazda investment. This meeting shows the importance that Alabama plays on the world stage and I appreciate the work the Ambassador does on behalf of our nation,” Ivey continued. “I look forward to the meeting and to working with him to continue the strong relationship between Japan and Alabama.” Ivey says she hopes these meetings will lead to additional economic growth for Alabama and more trade between the state and Japan.
Officials react to Alabama Toyota-Mazda plant announcement
It’s now official — Huntsville, Ala. has been selected by Toyota Motor Corporation and Mazda Motor Corporation as the site of their new $1.6 billion joint-venture auto manufacturing plant. The announcement was made Wednesday afternoon from the Alabama State Capitol building in Montgomery by Governor Kay Ivey, Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle, and executives from both Toyota and Mazda. The Huntsville-Madison County Chamber of Commerce, as well as leaders from multiple municipalities, joined the event. The new plant will have the capacity to build 300,000 vehicles annually, with production split evenly between two lines for each company to produce a new Mazda crossover model that will be introduced to North American markets and the Toyota Corolla. The facility is expected to create 4,000 jobs and production is expected to begin by 2021. Here’s what Alabama officials had to say of the news: Gov. Kay Ivey: The partnership between Toyota and Mazda will expand innovative automotive manufacturing in Alabama. Their decision to locate this new facility in Huntsville is a testament to the talented workforce in our state. We are proud that this partnership puts Alabama on the forefront of technology in this dynamic global industry. U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby: I am extremely proud that Huntsville was selected by Toyota and Mazda for the joint auto production plant. This facility will create thousands of jobs and strengthen economic growth throughout our state and region. Alabama has a proven track record of creating an environment where world-class manufacturing operations thrive. Today’s announcement speaks volumes about the capabilities and effectiveness of our state’s skilled workforce, highlighting the continued truth that Alabama is open for business. U.S. Sen. Doug Jones: The Toyota and Mazda decision to select Huntsville as the new location for their joint auto plant is both a testament to Northern Alabama’s exceptional advanced manufacturing workforce and further proof that choosing common ground over divisiveness will drive business to our state. Today’s announcement is a tremendous step forward for Alabama’s growing technology sector and our ability to recruit quality businesses in the future. We must build on this momentum, and continue to focus our efforts on issues that affect hard-working Alabamians like creating good-paying jobs and providing students with the tools to attain them. Alabama 2nd District U.S. Rep. Martha Roby: The news that Toyota and Mazda have chosen Alabama as this new plant’s home highlights once again that our great state is open for business. The decision by these companies is truly a testament to our impressive, skilled workforce and our state’s business-friendly environment. This exciting investment in North Alabama not only comes with 4,000 new direct jobs, but also an economic impact that will be felt across the state for many years to come. Alabama 5th District U.S. Rep. Mo Brooks: Toyota and Mazda’s decision to locate in Limestone County is great news for Alabama and the Tennessee Valley! I’m thankful Alabama was selected despite fierce competition from other states vying for this plant. Toyota and Mazda’s decision validates what many of us in Alabama already know. Alabama is not only America’s #1 football state, we are also on a path to be America’s #1 automotive production state. That is a strong testament to the quality of the location, resources, people and government leadership that Alabama offers. The Tennessee Valley did not win the Toyota and Mazda competition overnight. Rather, this victory is the culmination of decades of hard work and leadership offered by local, state and federal officials who have consistently worked together to make the Tennessee Valley a great place to live and work, a place that encourages companies like Polaris, Remington, and now Toyota and Mazda, to rank the Tennessee Valley #1 in America. Alabama 6th District U.S. Rep. Gary Palmer: Toyota and Mazda made a tremendous decision in choosing Alabama for their new, cutting-edge manufacturing plant. I am pleased this new facility will eventually bring 4,000 new jobs and significant economic growth to our state. The fact that Toyota and Mazda picked Alabama is indicative of the hard work and commitment Alabama has made to become the pacesetter in the automobile manufacturing industry. Alabama 7th District U.S. Rep. Terri Sewell: I am thrilled to hear that a Toyota-Mazda automobile plant will be finding a home in the great State of Alabama. I’m proud to see Toyota-Mazda investing in our state’s workforce and continued economic development. This joint venture between Toyota and Mazda will eventually produce 300,000 vehicles a year and create as many as 4,000 jobs opportunities for families in our State. Investments in new technologies and facilities like these are imperative to Alabama’s growing economy. As a Member of Congress, I believe we must strive to create a more job-ready workforce to continue to keep Alabama competitive and entice new business development across the State. Huntsville Mayor Tommy Battle: With this announcement, our world changes overnight. Toyota and Mazda, two of the world’s most innovative automakers, have created a legacy project that will provide jobs for decades to come for Huntsville and Alabama. Limestone County Schools Superintendent Tom Sisk: Because we have been a part of the process from the beginning, our school system has been working diligently behind the scenes to develop a series of plans that will be presented to the school board for consideration. These plans will address contingencies for anticipated growth, and expanded academic offerings for our students and others to prepare to meet the needs of this economic expansion. Madison County Commissioner Dale Strong: Today’s monumental announcement by President Akio Toyoda of the Toyota Corporation and President and CEO Masamichi Kogai of the Mazda Corporation is not a new commitment, but a continued commitment with proven world leaders in automotive ingenuity to the State of Alabama and our people. This project once again demonstrates that our regional, advanced manufacturing workforce is perfectly positioned for today and future generations.
Toyota, Mazda to build $1.6 billion plant in Alabama
The Yellowhammer State will be the home of a new $1.6 billion auto assembly plant, sources said on Tuesday. Toyota Motor and Mazda Motor are set to unveil plans for a Huntsville, Ala. plant that is expected to open in 2021, produce 300,000 vehicles a year, and employ up to 4,000 people. In recent months, the companies had confirmed that they deciding between whether or not to build the plant in North Carolina or Alabama. In her Tuesday night State of the State address, Alabama Gov. Kay Ivey did not mention the plant specifically, but said the state’s workforce is drawing companies to the state and making them successful. “News of our economic success seems to be a daily occurrence,” Ivey said. “Your dedication, your commitment to hard work and our skilled workforce, companies choose Alabama because of your ability to work hard and be dependable.” An official announcement is expected to be made Wednesday afternoon in Montgomery. A spokesperson for Toyota declined to comment to Alabama Today. *This article was updated at 9:00 p.m. CT.
Toyota, Mazda said to narrow choice to North Carolina, Alabama for $1.6 billion plant
Alabama and North Carolina are the final states in the running to win a prized Toyota and Mazda car factory worth $1.6 billion, according to people familiar with the negotiations. The automakers have been narrowing the list for weeks, knocking out almost a dozen other contenders that until recently included Tennessee, Texas and South Carolina, the sources said. Mazda and Toyota plan to announce their final choice by early next year, Akira Marumoto, Mazda’s executive vice president, told reporters in Tokyo earlier this month. Scott Vazin, a Toyota spokesman, and Jeremy Barnes, who represents Mazda, both declined to comment. The shared factory, scheduled to open in 2021, is the first new auto assembly plant to be announced during the tenure of President Donald Trump, who has pressured Toyota and other carmakers to make more of their vehicles in the U.S. During his recent visit to Tokyo, Trump thanked executives from the two companies for planning 4,000 new jobs at the plant. “That’s big stuff,” Trump told them, according to The Washington Post. Toyota and Mazda are pressing for an incentive package valued at $1 billion or more for the factory that is such a hotly contested prize. Mazda, which imports all the models it sells in the U.S., plans to produce crossovers alongside Toyota Corolla compact cars at the new plant. In October, Toyota reduced the size of its initial investment in a new plant in Mexico. The company will spend $700 million on the Guanajuato factory instead of the $1 billion it originally pledged, and production will be 100,000 vehicles a year instead of 200,000. Trump had criticized Toyota’s Mexico plans in a tweet in January, demanding Toyota build a plant in the U.S. instead. Republished with permission from the Alabama NewsCenter
