CAMBRIDGE, Ontario -

A $100 million investment, 400 new jobs and a lot more Lexus vehicles coming off the line — that’s the word from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada Inc. this week.

In the company’s second major expansion announcement this year, Toyota said it will hire 400 new employees and make the investment at its Cambridge, Ontario facility in order to increase Lexus RX production by 30,000 vehicles overall, to 104,000 units.

That number includes 15,000 RX450h vehicles, the hybrid version of the Lexus, and will push Toyota’s annual production capacity in Canada to the half-million mark.

Factoring in the March 2012 announcement from the company regarding its $80 million investment in the Woodstock, Ontario plant, Toyota’s direct job creation in Canada this year comes in at 800 new jobs, for a total of 7,300 employees.

“For almost nine years now, Canada has had the only Lexus production outside of Japan,” said TMMC chairman Ray Tanguay. “New jobs, along with new technology, is great news for Canada.”

The expanded Lexus production is scheduled to take place in early 2014.

“This is a big and ambitious project with new technology, exacting standards and tight timelines,” noted TMMC president Brian Krinock. “Our team members have demonstrated time and time again that they thrive on these kinds of challenges.”

In 2011, Toyota partnered with the governments of Canada and Ontario on a multi-project suite of initiatives designed to sustain and grow Toyota’s manufacturing footprint in Canada, and encourage the production of greener, more fuel-efficient vehicles.

Minister of Industry the Honorable Christian Paradis said job creation is a government priority.

“Our government’s top priority is creating jobs, growth and long-term prosperity, and we are pleased to see Toyota expanding production at its Cambridge facility,” said Paradis.

“Canada is a great place to build vehicles, and we will continue to encourage investment by providing tax relief, eliminating tariffs on machinery and equipment, and creating an environment that promotes innovation, research and development.”

Ontario’s Minister of Economic Development and Innovation Brad Duguid added, “Our government understands the critical role of manufacturing in the Province’s development and growth. Toyota’s announcement strengthens Ontario’s position as North America’s leading jurisdiction for automotive assembly.”