Texas 'Poaches' Toyota HQ from California

The move, creating a new North American headquarters, would put management of Toyota’s U.S. business close to where it builds most cars for this market.

North American Chief Executive Jim Lentz is expected to brief employees Monday, said the person, who was not authorized to speak publicly. Toyota declined to detail its plans. About 5,300 people work at Toyota’s Torrance complex. It is unclear how many workers will be asked to move to Texas. The move is expected to take several years.

That report is from the L.A. Times, which must have had to choke back tears while writing up Toyota’s big move. Texas Gov. Rick Perry has been making a show of traveling to New York and California to convince businesses in those blue states to move to business-friendly Texas.

It’s working.

Occidental Petroleum Corp. said in February that it was relocating from Los Angeles to Houston, making it one of around 60 companies that have moved to Texas since July 2012, according to Texas Gov. Rick Perry.

Perry last month visited California to recruit companies. The group Americans for Economic Freedom also recently launched a $300,000 advertising campaign in which Perry contends 50 California companies have plans to expand or relocate in Texas because it offers a better business climate.

Like these other companies, Toyota could also save money in an environment of lower business taxes, real estate prices and cost of living.

Those moves follow Caterpillar and Facebook moving to Texas, and Apple opening a huge new hub outside Austin in the past few years.

Democrats rule California and New York, and they have sent business a message: Satisfy every possible notion that the leftwing mob dreams up, or we will hurt you.

Count Toyota among the companies that have gotten the message.