Toyota to Move Production of the Corolla to Turkey

ISTANBUL, Turkey - Japanese car maker Toyota Motor Corp. plans to start production of the Corolla sedan at its Sakarya plant in Turkey, the OEM’s local distribution partner Abdul Latif Jameel Co. (ALJ) said at a meeting with Turkish Industry and Trade Minister, Anatolia News Agency reports.

The announcement was reportedly made by ALJ’s chairman Muhammed Jeemil. According to him, ALJ had been in talks with Toyota at its headquarters in Japan to increase capacity in Turkey plant with the aim of making it a regional production hub.

ALJ bought 65% of Turkey-based Sabanci Holding's stake in Toyota SA, in which it partnered with Toyota Motor Europe and Mitsui in 2009. The company, which is the official distributor of the Toyota Group vehicles in 12 countries, is Toyota's largest independent distributor in the world.

Toyota currently manufactures the Auris and Corolla Verso models in Turkey, which are shipped to 30 countries mainly in Europe. The Sakarya plant has an annual production capacity of 150,000 units. It is one of the 10 biggest overseas manufacturing operations of Toyota.