Tokyo 10 Jan (ANA) - Japanese car giant Toyota says will invest $ 10bn (£ 8.2bn) in the US over the next five years - the latest car manufacturer to announce major investments. The firm's North America chief executive, Jim Lentz, announced the decision at the Detroit motor show. He said it had nothing to do with President-elect Donald Trump's hostility to imported cars, but was part of its existing strategy. Mr Trump has threatened tax firms that make cars in Mexico for the US market. Mr Lentz said the money was going on a new headquarters in Texas and upgrades to existing US car plants. Earlier, BMW told the BBC that it was "absolutely" committed to a new plant in Mexico, despite Mr Trump's opposition to such policies. BMW is spending $ 1bn on a plant in Mexico, while other firms are investing in the US or moving production back. On Sunday, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) announced a $ 1bn plan to produce three Jeep models in the US. FCA will also move the production of a Ram pickup truck from Mexico to the US. Last week, Mr Trump criticised General Motors for building cars in Mexico for the US market. "General Motors is sending Mexican-made model of Chevy Cruze to US car dealers tax-free across border. Make in USA or pay big border tax!" he tweeted. He also threatened Toyota with a border tax if it went ahead with a new plant in Mexico. On Monday, Mr Lentz said Toyota had been planning for the Mexico plant for at least two years before announcing the move in 2015 and that it was a long-term decision.(ANA)

FA/ANA/10 January 2017----