Toyota and Mazda seek $1 bn for US plant

The Japanese carmakers have positioned themselves to drive a hard bargain with states by pledging to create as many as 4,000 jobs

Toyota Motor and Mazda Motor are pressing for an incentive package of at least $1 billion from US states trying to land their $1.6 billion joint car factory, according to people familiar with the negotiations.

Toyota and Mazda plan to brief their boards on a short list of states contending for the plant in the coming weeks and announce a final selection by the end of year, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the talks are private. Scott Vazin, a Toyota spokesman, and Jeremy Barnes, who represents Mazda, both declined to comment.

The tax breaks and other support