The Toyota Motor Europe (TME) UK plant in Burnaston has started production of the Auris Touring Sports [wagon].
Previous Corolla wagons were made for Europe were made in either Japan or Turkey. This is the first with a hybrid option.
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TME president and CEO Didier Leroy said the plant’s skills, experience and capabilities [gained from making Auris hybrid hatchbacks since 2010] made it “an ideal centre for manufacturing” the new variant.
“Adding this model to its production portfolio will help bring production levels at Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) up to its full current operating capacity.
“[The new model] marks a further stage in our programme for bringing more hybrid models to the market in Europe, cars that meet the needs of an even wider range of customers. It will be a unique proposition as the only model in the European family/compact estate car market [C segment] to offer the choice of full hybrid, in addition to conventional petrol and diesel power.”
Plant manager Tony Walker said operating at production capacity “adds to job security for both TMUK and our suppliers”.
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By GlobalDataTMUK is the sole source of the Touring Sports, a model that Toyota said had “been developed exclusively for European customers”.
Initial sales in the UK, Germany and Spain start in July, supplementing the UK-built hatchback and recently updated Verso compact MPV made in Turkey.
Hybrids, offered in Yaris and Auris ranges, now account for about 20% of Toyota’s new car sales but Toyota expects a 45% share of Touring volume.
“The steady increase in the popularity of hybrid demonstrates how customer attitudes to the technology have matured and that it is now regarded as an affordable, reliable and desirable alternative to conventional petrol and diesel, rather than a niche choice,” the automaker said.
