November 24, 2011 News Toyota has announced today, that it is to build all its new generation C-segment hatchback models at its Burnaston manufacturing facility in Derbyshire, pledging a £100 million investment in the site. Becoming the sole European manufacturing centre for the new hatchbacks, including hybrid, petrol and diesel models, the Burnaston plant will see a significant increase in production volumes, creating up to 1,500 additional jobs in the next two years. Welcoming the news of further investment into UK automotive manufacturing, Prime Minster David Cameron said, “This major announcement from Toyota is fantastic news and a massive vote of confidence for UK manufacturing. “This investment and the jobs it will create provide a terrific boost not just to the local economy but to the whole country, and is a tribute to the great skill, hard work and sheer professionalism shown by the Toyota workforce. Toyota’s commitment to the UK shows the growing strength of the UK car industry – it is our great British success story. “It is vital that we build a more balanced economy, one with manufacturing, innovation and exports at its heart. The automotive sector is leading the way in helping us achieve this – it is an extraordinary success story and one that we are very proud of.” Toyota’s £100 million investment will feed directly into tooling and equipment at the Burnaston vehicle plant, taking Toyota’s total investment in its UK manufacturing business to more than £2.1 billion since it was established as the company’s first European production centre in 1989. In addition, Toyota has promised a further a £85 million into the UK supply chain. “Toyota’s announcement is excellent news for employees at the Burnaston and Deeside plants and UK-based suppliers,” said Paul Everitt, SMMT Chief Executive. “This year’s wave of high-profile UK investment announcements is great news for the future of the industry, creating and protecting thousands of jobs and helping to secure economic recovery.” Together with the Avensis saloon and tourer, hatchback production at Burnaston will further strengthen the UK’s status as a global exporter, as approximately 85% of Toyota’s UK-built engines and vehicles are shipped to Europe and other world markets. Tony Walker, Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, and Deputy Managing Director said, “This is great news for Burnaston and Deeside. The decision to bring all production of new generation C-segment hatchbacks to Britain reflects on the excellent work done by our members in delivering the highest standards in productivity and quality. “Going beyond our own operations, there will also be benefits for our local communities and regions, safeguarding thousands of jobs in the UK supply chain.” The Burnaston facility boasts a special status as one of Toyota’s global Sustainable Plants, setting industry standards in cleaner, low carbon production and the harnessing of sustainable energy sources. Toyota’s achievements in the UK include zero waste to landfill and incineration whilst significantly reducing the amount of energy and water required to build each vehicle. In July this year Toyota achieved another UK industry first with the inauguration of Britain’s largest industrial solar panel array, capable of capturing up to 4.6 million kWh of sustainable energy every year – enough to build around 7,000 cars. Toyota’s investment in manufacturing and the production of cleaner, more efficient vehicles such as the Auris Hybrid, fall in line with the UK government’s ambitions both for a stronger manufacturing sector and a low carbon society.
