Toyota Celebrates 50 Years in North America

In 1972, Toyota announced its first manufacturing investment in North America. On September 22, 2022, the automaker’s Long Beach, California, operation, TABC, Inc., celebrated 50 years of advanced manufacturing. 

Building on five decades of quality, TABC is a primary supplier of parts for Tacoma trucks and produces past model service body parts for all North American-produced Toyota vehicles. 

“For 50 years, the team at TABC has played an integral role in our company’s success, providing parts and components for our vehicles,” said Chris Nielsen, executive vice president, Product Support, and chief quality officer, Toyota North America. “So, it is great to celebrate all they have accomplished, and we look forward to their continuing leadership in providing quality products for our customers.”

Celebrating With the Community

As part of its anniversary celebration, Toyota officials announced $200,000 in community investments to be split among seven partner organizations, including:

• American Red Cross.
• Boys and Girls Club of Long Beach.
• California State University of Long Beach.
• California Conference for Equality and Justice.
• Children Today.
• Long Beach Chamber of Commerce.
• U.S. Vets.

In addition to the community investments, Toyota donated two vehicles to Rancho Los Alamitos and the Long Beach Ronald McDonald House.

“Toyota cares deeply about being a responsible member of society and improving our local communities,” said TABC president Jim Zehmer. “It is fitting for us to mark our 50th anniversary by celebrating our employees that make all of this possible and by reaffirming our ties to the community with these contributions.”

Growing With Toyota

TABC, originally known as Atlas Fabricators, contracted with Toyota in 1972 to assemble truck beds for vehicles destined for the U.S. Two years later, Toyota purchased the operation and ultimately renamed it “TABC, Inc.,” making it Toyota’s first manufacturing investment in the U.S.

In March 2022, the operation announced an investment of $27 million to support an increase in production capabilities. Currently, the plant employs approximately 350 people and represents a $485 million investment.

Toyota continues to grow its presence in North America. Today, it directly employs nearly 48,000 people, with $40.78 billion invested in its North American operations. The company’s newest plant, Toyota Battery Manufacturing North Carolina, is scheduled to begin production of lithium-ion batteries for hybrid electric and battery electric vehicles beginning in 2025.