MONTGOMERY, Ala. (EETV) – Governor Kay Ivey this week is leading a small team of Alabama economic development specialists on a business development mission to Japan for high-level meetings with executives of global automakers Toyota, Mazda and Honda.
The Alabama delegation is departing for Japan today (Tuesday) and will return on Thursday following the appointments in Tokyo. The strategic goal of the mission is to facilitate growth in the state’s automotive sector and reinforce relationships with the manufacturers.
“The auto industry has been a key driver of economic growth in Alabama for two decades, and we want to make sure we’re positioned to see that growth accelerate in coming years,” Ivey said. “It’s important that we work closely with these automakers to ensure they thrive in Alabama, because that will bring more jobs and investment to the state.”
The Japan mission comes as the Mazda Toyota Manufacturing USA joint venture partnership is beginning to move forward with plans for a $1.6 billion assembly plant in Huntsville that will employ 4,000 people and spawn a significant network of suppliers.
Greg Canfield, Secretary of the Alabama Department of Commerce, said the discussions with Mazda and Toyota executives will focus on moving the assembly plant project forward. In addition, the talks will center on how their supply chain can be filled leading up to a production launch in 2021.
“While we have a longstanding relationship with Toyota, we’re still developing bonds with Mazda, which has no manufacturing presence in the U.S.,” Canfield said. “We can use our extensive experience in assisting automakers expand their footprint to help the company build out a productive and efficient operation in Alabama.”
Leaders from Toyota and Mazda announced their decision in January 2018 to open the assembly plant at a site in Huntsville 14 miles from a Toyota engine plant that has nearly 1,400 workers after multiple expansions.
Joining Ivey and Canfield in the meetings with Mazda and Toyota executives will be Huntsville Mayor and candidate for the Republican nomination for governor Tommy Battle, Tennessee Valley Authority CEO Bill Johnson, and Chip Cherry, president and CEO of the Huntsville/Madison Chamber of Commerce.
Steve Pelham, Governor Ivey’s Chief of Staff, and Hollie Pegg, Assistant Director of Business Development at the Alabama Department of Commerce, will also be included in these meetings.
