Hot hatch to be made in UK

Toyota has confirmed it plans to build the GR Corolla in the UK and invest NZ$90 million in a new assembly line there.

The announcement has further fuelled speculation that the popular hot hatch could also soon be launched in Europe.

The company will manufacture the model from Burnaston in Derbyshire. It denies the move is related to US tariffs, which place a 25 per cent import tax on cars from Japan compared with 10 per cent from the UK.

The GR Corolla is currently only available in Japan and is exported to North America and certain other markets, including New Zealand.

Prototypes were spotted being tested at Germany’s Nürburgring last year leading to speculation of a launch. 

A spokesman for Toyota suggested it’s standard to test global products there but didn’t deny the prospect of a European launch, according to media reports. Toyota currently sells the GR Yaris and GR Supra in Europe.

Yoshihiro Nakata, president of Toyota Motor Europe, said: “We are proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has been selected as the first overseas plant to produce GR vehicles.

“We very much appreciate the historical support and recognition of the UK, and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a ‘best in town’ company.”

The Burnaston plant currently produces the Corolla hatchback and station wagon for the British and European markets, but the proposed new investment could significantly boost production rates.

Previous Reuters reports suggest that it could give the plant a capacity of 10,000 units per year. It adds the company’s Motomachi plant in Japan, which handles GR output, is currently at full capacity. Burnaston, meanwhile, built its five millionth car last year since opening in 1992.