Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey has built the first generation 11 Corolla sedan for Europe at its Sakarya Plant.
TMC chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said: “The new Corolla, which has been reborn with styling that is more refined and more luxurious, is the new global symbol for our efforts to make ever-better cars. I am very proud that the European version of the new Corolla will call Sakarya its home.”
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President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, Didier Leroy, said: “With the start of production of the new Corolla at TMMT, our product offer in the essential compact segment has been fully renewed in the past year. With this important milestone, we are definitely on the right path to achieve our target of sustainable growth this year but also in the future in Europe.”
The latest Turkish Corolla is the European version of the 11th generation.
In 2014, production at TMMT will reach 150,000 units, its full capacity. This year, more than 85% of production will be exported to European markets, Russia, North Africa, the Middle East and Central Asia.
Export destinations for the TMMT-produced Corolla include parts of Europe where sedans are popular, North Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Supplementing the Turkish sedans, the equivalent Auris hatchback and Touring Sports (wagon) versions built in England are exported mostly to Europe.
TMMT spent about EUR150m launching the latest sedan, creating roughly 900 jobs, albeit for temporary employees.
The plant exports the Corolla and the five/seven-seat Verso MPV to over 50 countries and regions.
Established in July 1990, it is owned 90% by Toyota Motor Europe and 10% by Japanese trading house Mitsui.
Production started in September 1994.
There are about 3,300 employees including the newly hired temps.
TB Sewtech starts on Corolla seat covers in Düzce
