HUNTSVILLE, Ala. — Toyota Alabama is set to rev up its engines, literally! The manufacturer based here in Huntsville is set to unveil a new engine line.
FOX54's Keneisha Deas got an inside look.
"It's really kind of the King of the Hill for Toyota engines. It's the first turbo engine in North America for Toyota,” said Group Manager V6 Turbo Engine Mark Klee.
Klee is talking about the new twin-turbo V6 engines.
"Certainly the biggest displacement and the most torque and the most horsepower out of a turbo engine in North America."
Toyota Alabama leaders say they’re set to produce a one-of-a-kind twin-turbo V6 engine is soon to be revealed. The "new twin-turbo V6 engine line represents a $288 million investment in Toyota Alabama operations and added 450 jobs, bringing total employment to 1800," the group said.
"That engine is really important for this plan because it really establishes basically the next phase of long-term employment for our members here," said Klee.
The engine fit for the 2022 Toyota Tundra.
"It's a hot selling vehicle right now, and we're going to be making, or the exclusive maker for that truck for the tundra engine. Basically, a low volume engine and we've fitted that for the Tundra,” said Klee.
Toyota Alabama reps say they’re expected to produce 900,000 engines. And if you do the math right, they say it's an engine produced every 58 seconds. Leaders say they need 450 spots to fill.
"We have an incredible bonus program at six months and every year. It's an employee, you get a bonus,” said Corporate Communications Analyst Bekah Schmidt.
Toyota Alabama is hiring for production and skill maintenance, starting at $19 an hour.
"We've actually never laid off a North American employee. So when you come to Toyota you can know that through the recession, through the tornadoes through COVID-19. We never sent people home," said Schmidt.
"Toyota is a place where, when you want to get your foot in the door we hire from within and we'd like to train up and develop our team members for promotion opportunities," added Schmidt.
If you'd like to apply click here.