Toyota has announced two production changes aimed at optimising the efficiency of its manufacturing plants in the UK and Turkey. Production of the hatchback version of its European-produced C-segment vehicles (petrol, diesel and hybrid) will be consolidated at Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK). Currently, the Toyota Auris is produced both in TMMT (petrol and diesel versions) and at TMUK (petrol, diesel and hybrid versions). In addition, Toyota will produce its C-segment sedan at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT), which will be built alongside the Toyota Verso, the other vehicle made by TMMT.
The combined additional investment to implement the change will be around €265 million for both factories. Toyota expects to recruit up to 1,900 new workers, with TMMT to hire an additional 400 employees within two years, starting in 2012.
Located in Arifiye, Sakarya province, TMMT started production in 1994. The plant currently employs about 2,700 employees, and represents a total investment of about €1.2 billion. In 2010, TMMT produced 40,350 Verso and 42,936 Auris.
Toyota will produce a new C-segment hatchback in the UK and add C-segment sedan production in Turkey