For the second time, Toyota Motor has postponed the construction of a battery plant in Japanʼs prefecture of Fukuoka. According to the company, the project will be reevaluated and adjusted in 2026. The reason given is slower-than-expected demand for electric vehicles. Toyota claims that the plans had merely been postponed, not abandoned.
Production not starting in 2028
In February 2025, Toyota had purchased a plot of land worth the equivalent to approximately 39 million US dollars in a northeastern industrial area of Fukuoka. The purchase was conditional on construction beginning within three years. Toyota has reportedly confirmed to the prefecture its intention to honor this commitment. However, the start of production which was originally scheduled for 2028 will be delayed. The company is also examining whether part of the facility could be used for the production of vehicles or components in the future.
Sales ten percent below expectations
In March 2025, the company postponed the intended location agreement from April to fall. At that time, Toyota also cited weaker market dynamics for electric vehicles as the reason for the delay. According to its recent annual report, the manufacturer expects to sell 277,000 electric cars, including those from the Lexus brand, by March 2026. This figure is approximately ten percent lower than the companyʼs forecast.
