Toyota to manufacture full hybrid Auris in the UK

Photo: King Chung Huang
Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has announced plans to manufacture a full hybrid version of its C-segment hatchback, Auris, at its UK-based facility in Burnaston, Derbyshire. Production of Toyota's first European-built full hybrid will kick-off at Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd (TMUK) in mid-2010.

Engines will be produced at TMUK's facility in Deeside, North Wales. The announcement, which coincided with a site visit by UK First Secretary of State and Secretary of State for Business, Innovation & Skills Rt. Hon. Lord Mandelson, underlines Toyota's commitment to expand its offering of low-emission hybrid vehicles to customers in Europe.

‘With this announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers. Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads,' said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and President, TME.

Business Secretary Lord Mandelson said: ‘As part of our low carbon industrial strategy we set out to make Britain the best place in the world to develop low carbon vehicles. These commitments, backed by the formidable skills of the UK automotive workers enable companies like Toyota to invest with confidence in low carbon car production in the UK. It demonstrates that the UK's car industry is already making the low carbon transition.'

The Toyota Auris hit the European market place in spring 2007. Since then, it has sold over 370,000 vehicles. Under the new Toyota Optimal Drive technology, Auris now comes equipped with a 1.33-litre dual VVT-i engine and Toyota's Start&Stop technology, reducing CO2 emissions by 17 per cent (135 g/km) and improving fuel consumption by 19 per cent (48.7 mpg combined cycle).


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