Toyota Motor Europe (TME) on Tuesday said it would start making a 1.3-litre, four-cylinder engine at its UK engine plant in Deeside, North Wales.

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Production of the new engine, following an investment of around EUR115m (GBP88m), is scheduled for late 2009, in line with TME’s target to completely renew its petrol engine line-up by 2010.


The announcement came as Toyota officially started production of its new ZR engine and is the second major investment in engine production at Deeside since 2007.


 “We are pleased to bring Toyota’s latest small engine technology to the UK, as part of our commitment to deliver more fuel-efficient and low-CO2 emitting products to European customers,” said TME executive vice-president Tetsuo Agata.


“This investment highlights the significance of the UK’s role in the continuous growth of our operations in Europe.”


TME builds Auris and Avensis models at its vehicle plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, while Deeside makes 1.4-, 1.6- and 1.8-litre petrol engines.


In 2007 Toyota made 185,736 engines and 277,854 vehicles in the UK.

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