Toyota Puts Brakes on Construction of Mississippi Prius Plant

Toyota Prius Plant Factory photo

Update: See our article on the official launch of the new 2010 Toyota Prius!

Toyota Not Immune from Downturn
Toyota has invested more than $300 million in the Blue Springs, Mississippi, plant that is under construction. It was supposed to start making Prius hybrid cars (check out photos of the redesigned 2010 Prius here) in 2010, but "the automaker is delaying production there indefinitely because of the industrywide downturn." Read on for more.

Even Prius Can't Save Toyota
The plant, which would be Toyota's eight in North-America, now seems a bit superfluous because of falling sales. Even though the Prius has been selling like hotcakes, Toyota prefers to put a hold on the project and reevaluate things later.

"Due to the uncertainty of the market, it is impossible to say at this time when production will begin," Toyota said in a statement.
"Toyota continues to evaluate its operations globally and reduce production as necessary to match the weak market."

That's the second change for the Mississippi plant. At first it was supposed to produce Highlander SUVs, but last July, that was changed to the Prius. That was before Toyota's sales plunged 34% in November compared to the year before...

Via Reuters, Associated Press

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