Toyota’s manufacturing activity in the UK reached another landmark today with the official start of production of the all-new Auris at its Burnaston factory. The Business Secretary, Dr Vince Cable, welcomed Toyota’s continued investment in its UK operations, which will also see the new Auris Touring Sports estate car built at the plant from next year.
The decision to build the new Auris hatchback and Touring Sports estate car at TMUK has been supported by Toyota’s investment of around £185 million – about £85 million of which was allocated to the supply chain. This takes Toyota’s UK investment total to more than £2.1 billion since it launched its operations here, where more than 3.25 million cars have been built since 1992.
Dr Cable said, “I’m delighted to be here again in Burnaston today to mark the start of production of the latest Auris. It marks another significant milestone as Toyota celebrates 20 years of manufacturing here in the UK. Toyota’s £185 million investment is good news for the UK supply chain and helping to improve skills and training. Eight hundred workers have already been recruited and offered Toyota production apprenticeships.
“The automotive industry is one of strategic national importance to the UK. The Automotive Council demonstrates how Government and business can work together to help promote manufacturing and growth. We want to develop this sort of partnership in more key sectors as part of our industrial strategy.”
Didier Leroy, President and CEO Toyota Motor Europe, emphasised the importance of the UK in the company’s strategy for vehicle and engine production in Europe. He added, “Toyota chose the UK as the location for its first manufacturing centre in Europe 20 years ago and has regularly made significant investments to develop TMUK’s operations and expand their capabilities.”
Speaking about Toyota’s apprenticeship programme, TMUK Deputy Managing Director, Tony Walker, said, “Where our members are concerned, I am proud that we are demonstrating our commitment to skills development by offering all those we have recruited so far the opportunity to study a Toyota apprenticeship, something we regard as great step forward for the motor industry.”
Petrol, diesel and full hybrid versions of both Auris variants will be manufactured at Burnaston, with the majority of vehicles built by TMUK being exported to Europe. Some of the engines used in new Auris, notably the 1.8-litre unit featured in the hybrid model, will be supplied by Toyota’s UK engine manufacturing plant in Deeside.
Find out more about UK automotive manufacturing by downloading SMMT Motor Industry Facts 2012.
UK automotive companies have committed £6 billion of investment over the last 18 months. Click through for full details of the investments.
