Full Breakdown
Toyota to Deploy Gigacasting Presses at New Shanghai Lexus Plant
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Development: Gigacasting at the Shanghai Facility
Toyota Motor announced that its upcoming $2 billion Lexus-dedicated plant in Shanghai will be the company’s first production site to use gigacasting (integrated die-casting) equipment. The large-scale presses can form an entire vehicle body frame in a single casting, replacing dozens of welded components. The Shanghai factory is under construction and is targeting a 2027 start of operations. Toyota is developing the gigacasting technology internally rather than procuring machines from external suppliers.
Background: Slowing Chinese Sales and EV Competition
Toyota’s move comes amid a prolonged sales decline in China, the world’s largest car market. The company reported that its Chinese sales fell 19 % year-over-year in the January–August period, a drop attributed to a real-estate downturn that has curbed consumer spending and to the rapid rise of domestic EV brands that dominate the market. Competing automakers have already adopted gigacasting, with Tesla pioneering the technology and Chinese makers BYD and Xiaomi following suit.
Official Statements & Responses
The company declined to comment on potential external suppliers for the presses.
Data & Statistics
- Investment in the Shanghai Lexus plant: $2 billion.
- Expected production start: 2027.
- Sales decline in China: 19 % year-over-year (January–August).
- Gigacasting replaces dozens of welded parts with a single cast, reducing production time, labor and equipment costs.
Verbatim Quotes
- “This is a big chance to change the manufacturing system,” — Technology Officer Hiroki Nakajima