The companies announced on January 10, 2018, they planned to partner to build the plant at a cost of US$1.6 billion,[2] which would later grow to US$2.3 billion.[3] Ground was broken on a Tennessee Valley Authority-certified megasite in Limestone County on November 16, 2018.[2][4] When fully operational, the plant is expected to employ 4,000 people building 300,000 vehicles a year.[5][6]
The plant began operations on September 30, 2021, building the Corolla Cross compact crossover SUV on the "Apollo" assembly line.[3][7][8] Production of the Mazda CX-50 compact crossover SUV started on January 26, 2022, on the "Discovery" assembly line.[9]
In March 2024, it was announced that Mitsunobu Mukaida would become president of the factory. On April 1, 2024, Mukaida assumed the role of president from Masashi Aihara.[10]