Toyota chairman sports MAGA attire as company announces $912 million investment in US manufacturing

On Tuesday, Toyota Motor Corporation announced a $912 million investment in its US manufacturing operations, deepening its commitment to American production amid escalating trade tensions under the Trump administration. The investment comes just days after the company's chairman, Akio Toyoda, wore a red "Make America Great Again" hat and a Trump-Vance T-shirt at a high-profile NASCAR-themed event in Japan.

The investment, as outlined in a press release, will strengthen hybrid vehicle manufacturing across five US states, generating over 200 new employment opportunities and expanding Toyota's domestic presence. $453 million will be allocated to the company's plant in Buffalo, West Virginia, to enhance the production capacity of hybrid transmissions. Additional funds will be distributed to facilities in Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri, and North Carolina, including the establishment of a new cylinder head production line in Troy, Missouri, which will create 57 new positions.

This infusion is part of a broader $10 billion commitment over the next five years, announced earlier this month, aimed at fortifying Toyota's US operations against potential tariffs and supply chain disruptions. "We are exploring ways to make tariffs a winner for everyone. The people we want most to be winners are our customers," Toyoda said, according to the New York Post. The hybrid focus aligns with surging demand for electrified vehicles, the company said.

The timing of the announcement heightened the atmosphere at Fuji Speedway over the weekend, where Toyoda organized a NASCAR showcase to honor American automotive culture. The 69-year-old executive wore full "MAGA" attire, a move that went viral across social media with Trump supporters praising the spectacle. The event was attended by the US ambassador to Japan, George Glass, who appeared to have adored Toyoda's gesture, according to a post on his X account.