Toyota Motor Europe (TME) is set to commence the production of its first battery electric vehicle (BEV) in Europe, at its Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) site.
The declaration was made in the presence of TME CEO and president Yoshihiro Nakata, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and Industry and Trade minister Lukáš Vlček.
The move signifies a considerable investment in the Czech automotive industry, with Toyota earmarking around €680m for new capital expenditures, which includes a contribution of up to €64m from the Czech Government for the construction of a specialised battery assembly facility.
As a result of this investment, the TMMCZ facility in Kolin will undergo an expansion from its current size to accommodate the new BEV production lines and associated facilities.
This initiative is a key component of Toyota's wider goal to reach carbon neutrality in its European operations by 2040.
Nakata said: “This new battery electric vehicle production is testament to the dedication of our employees and the vision shared with the Czech Government to advance sustainable mobility and innovation.”
TMMCZ currently has the capacity to produce about 220,000 vehicles a year, including the Yaris Hybrid and Aygo X.
This expansion is expected to generate more direct jobs and have a positive impact on the local supply chain, with most of the components for the BEV expected to be locally sourced.
Furthermore, the company has announced that from November 2025, the Aygo X will be exclusively produced as a hybrid model.
TMMCZ's presence in the Czech Republic spans over 20 years, with the plant being a significant local employer, housing a workforce of about 3,200 people.
The plant has been instrumental in the production of over 4.5 million vehicles since its inception, the company said.
In 2024, TMMCZ also became the site of Toyota's inaugural logistics mega hub in Europe to distribute vehicles to Toyota and Lexus dealerships in Poland, Germany, Hungary, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.
Toyota invested €1,069m in TMMCZ’s commissioning and production from 2002 to 2005, and a further €251m between 2020 and 2024 in plant capacity expansion to accommodate Yaris and Aygo X TNGA production, among other upgrades.
Last month, Toyota announced plans to launch three fully-electric vehicle models for sale in South Africa in 2026.
