Toyota has built its two millionth Yaris in France, the car came off the line at Valenciennes on 28 October. The milestone was reached in the same year Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) celebrated its 10th anniversary.
The model that took the production total to 2m is a 1.4-litre D-4D five-door in ‘Burning Red’, destined for France.
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Production of the Yaris (aka Vitz in Japan; some earlier generations were sold in some markets as the Echo – ed) – Toyota’s best-selling model in Europe – started at Valenciennes in January 2001 with annual volume of 150,000 units. This rose to a peak of 262,000 cars a year in 2007. The factory was designed for flexible operation with the ability to switch to three shifts when required.
Following the recent introduction of the third generation line, TMMF will return to three shifts in January next year and will recruit 800 extra workers, taking the employee total at Valenciennes to 4,300. Production of a new hybrid version will also begin next year.
