Japanese FDI projects into the US automotive sector reached a peak in 2012, with 51 projects recorded in the first 11 months of the year, according to greenfield investment monitor fDi Markets. This is an increase from 2011, when 33 such projects were recorded in the whole year, and more than any other year since fDi Markets started recording data in 2003. Capital expenditure in the first 11 months of 2012 was $2.55bn, with 6149 new jobs created.

The top US destination region for Japanese investment in the automotive sector between 2003 and 2012 was the south east, with 182 such projects. The Great Lakes region was the second most popular with 122 projects. The top destination states are Indiana and Mississippi. The states have received 52 and 42 projects, respectively, and $3.02bn and $2.28bn capital expenditure since 2003.

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The top three Japanese companies investing the US automotive sector are Toyota Motor, Honda and Nissan, which have recorded 75, 42 and 24 projects, respectively, between 2003 and 2012. In the first 11 months of 2012, Toyota Motor invested $877.8m. This included a $400m investment in the expansion of its manufacturing facility in Princeton, Indiana, that will create hundreds of new jobs by the end of 2013.

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