Next generation hybrid engines for a future Toyota crossover car are to be built at the manufacturer’s Deeside plant in North Wales.
Toyota’s new crossover model is being developed from the C-HR concept car unveiled last year at the Frankfurt motor show, with the engines shipped from Deeside to Toyota’s factory in Turkey where the car will be assembled.
Dr Johan van Zyl, Toyota Motor Europe president and chief executive said: “The crossover market has been booming and will continue to grow in Europe and elsewhere. We are entering the C-segment crossover market with a fantastic new product with a hybrid powertrain from the start.
“It will provide our European operations with further perspectives for sustainable growth. I have full trust in our team members in Turkey and the UK to apply their skills and quality mind-set to building what will be a very exciting product.”
The addition of the new high-tech engine to the factory’s production is attracting additional investment of around £7 million in operations by Toyota Motor Europe, including grant support of more than £700,000 from the Welsh Government.
Jim Crosbie, engine plant director, said: “Toyota has a long and successful record of building engines in North Wales. This announcement is a big vote of confidence in the high skills, quality and commitment of our workforce. Deeside was chosen to be Toyota’s first plant in Europe to manufacture a hybrid engine and we are proud to have delivered on that opportunity and to have now been selected to build this next generation hybrid engine.”
The new engine is the latest generation of Toyota’s world-leading hybrid powertrain technology and will play an important role in Toyota Motor Europe’s ambitions for increasing hybrid vehicle sales.
Last year Toyota’s European hybrid sales reached 209,000 units, up 17% on 2014.
Hybrid vehicles currently account for almost one quarter of all new Toyota models sold across all European markets, and about one third of all those sold in Western Europe.
The new hybrid engine will be built at Deeside alongside current production of petrol and hybrid petrol units for the Auris range, manufactured by TMUK at Burnaston in Derbyshire.
As editor, Tim is responsible for the media content, planning and production of AM's multiple channels (AM print and digital magazines, website, social media and contributing to our events planning). He interviews and writes about as many franchised dealer groups and UK divisions of motor manufacturers as possible, to explore the issues facing UK motor retail and understand what solutions dealers and suppliers are using to overcome these.
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