HOUSTON - Toyota Motor Corp.'s latest effort in the U.S. automotive industry is considered its most important, and what a place for it: deep in the heart of Texas, where American pickups have crowded backroads and highways for decades.
Japan's top automaker is set to begin building its revamped, full-size Tundra pickup Friday at a 2.2 million-square-foot plant in San Antonio, a move aimed at grabbing a larger share of a lucrative market long dominated by Chevrolet's Silverado, Ford's F-150 and Dodge's Ram.
On a broader scale, the $850 million investment affirms Toyota's aggressive plans to grow its business as the company poises itself to unseat General Motors Corp. as the world's No. 1 automaker.