Toyota Motor Europe has announced today that it will be investing a further £240m in its Derbyshire site to improve plant competitiveness and promote UK supply chain efficiencies.
Starting this year, Toyota’s Burnaston facility is expected to be progressively upgraded with new equipment, technologies and systems to enable the production of vehicles on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.
The investment programme also includes (subject to due diligence) up to £21.3m support from the UK government for training, research and development, and further enhancements of the plant’s environmental performance.
President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, Dr Johan van Zyl explained: “We are very focused on securing the global competitiveness of our European plants. The roll-out of TNGA manufacturing capability is part of this plan.
“This upgrade of [Toyota Manufacturing UK] is a sign of confidence in our employees and suppliers and their focus on superior quality and greater efficiency. Our investment demonstrates that, as a company, we are doing all we can to raise the competitiveness of our Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. Continued tariff-and-barrier free market access between the UK and Europe that is predictable and uncomplicated will be vital for future success.”
Business and Energy Secretary, Greg Clark commented: “Our automotive sector is one of the most productive in the world and Toyota’s decision to invest £240m upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK auto sector. I also welcome the prospect of investment to take Toyota New Global Architecture into the supply chain.
“Toyota is one of the world’s largest car producers and this inward investment underlines the company’s faith in its employees and will help ensure the plant is well positioned for future Toyota models to be made in the UK. As we prepare to leave the EU, this government is committed through our Industrial Strategy to ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business and we are able to help businesses seize on economic opportunities.”
Toyota has launched a global programme to upgrade its manufacturing sites to produce TNGA-based vehicles, with the expectation that by 2020, the majority of Toyota’s global models will be built using TNGA platforms. TNGA already underpins the new, fourth generation Prius and the all-new, Toyota C-HR crossover, which is manufactured in Turkey.
