President Donald Trump's Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy is celebrating Toyota Motor Corp's decision to move production of the Tacoma pickup truck from Mexico to Texas — and he's framing it as a win for American pocketbooks.

In a post on X, Duffy highlighted the $3.6 billion investment in San Antonio, which will also create 2,000 jobs. "NOT only is TOYOTA investing $3.6 BILLION into San Antonio, they're adding 2,000 JOBS," Duffy wrote, quoting White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. He added that the move would mean "LOWER vehicle costs and MORE consumer choice" in the U.S. auto market. "Freedom means affordable cars," Duffy said, giving a nod to Trump.

Toyota's expansion brings its total investment in the San Antonio plant to $8.3 billion since it broke ground in 2003. The automaker said it remains "committed to its operations throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico" and "encourages a quick resolution to USMCA to make the North American region globally competitive."

That last bit is key. The U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) expired on July 1st, and the U.S. declined to renew it in its current form. U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said the existing agreement will stay in force while parties renegotiate, but Washington wants to address trade deficits — a point Trump has hammered, especially with Canada.

Toyota's move is a clear signal that automakers are adjusting to the new trade reality. By shifting Tacoma production to Texas, Toyota avoids potential tariffs and aligns with the administration's push for domestic manufacturing.

Meanwhile, another player is entering the North American market from a different angle. Stellantis NV-backed Chinese automaker Zhejiang Leapmotor Technology Co. Ltd. has launched in Mexico, marking its first foray into the region. Leapmotor is introducing the B10 crossover SUV, an extended-range electric vehicle (EREV) that pairs a 1.5-liter engine with a 215hp electric motor and an 18.8 kWh LFP battery, offering an all-electric range of 60 miles.

Leapmotor's entry into Mexico — just as Toyota doubles down on Texas — shows the North American auto landscape is shifting. Whether it's Japanese giants moving production north or Chinese EV makers sneaking in from the south, the race to build cars in (or near) the U.S. is heating up.