Texas workers are mourning the loss of America’s favorite mid-size truck. Production that used to take place in Texas has been decreasing as it ramps up in Mexico. Plus, the automaker is investing even more in Mexican plants. 

America’s favorite mid-size truck increases production in Mexico 

Do you know what America’s favorite mid-size truck is? It has been the Toyota Tacoma. It has been the most popular mid-size model for years. Strong sales continue to bolster its popularity in 2024. 

However, Texas workers and California employees are mourning the loss of this truck as production increases in Mexico. 

The Tacoma was once considered to be one of the most American-made trucks along with the Toyota Tundra and Honda Ridgeline. 

But Toyota has been decreasing production in Texas while increasing production in Mexico. For example, the Tacoma used to be manufactured at the plant in San Antonio. Now the plant only builds the Toyota Sequoia.

Toyota has been building the Tacoma in Tijuana and Gaunajauto Mexico since 2004 and recently added a new plant. 

Now Toyota is investing $1.45 billion to increase Tacoma and Tundra production in Mexico. The funds are being used to modernize the plants to increase the output of new Toyota trucks, including hybrid models. 

According to Yahoo Finance, about $1.1 billion will go to the Toyota plant in Apaseo el Grande. Currently, about 100,000 Tacoma trucks are produced there each year. About 450 jobs will be added to the current workforce of 1,700. 

The rest of the $336 million is being used to increase the production of the Tacoma and other vehicles in Tijuana. This plant pumps out about 130,000 trucks per year. Its workforce will increase from 2,000 to 3,200 employees. 

This move is being made to improve the regional competitiveness of North America. Also, President-elect Donald Trump has mentioned adding tariffs of 10 to 25% on all imports from Mexico.