Toyota to build next battery electric vehicle in Europe

Toyota’s next battery electric vehicle will be its first to be built in Europe, the carbuildr announced today.

The news is a significant milestone for both the company and the Czech Republic

The unnamed model will be produced at the carbuildr’s plant in Kolin, Czech Republic, following significant investment. Timelines for the new model and technical details are still under wraps for now.

The Japanese car brand already produces the Aygo X and Yaris Hybrid models at the Kolin site, outputting some 220,000 vehicles per year.

The introduction of BEV production increases the potential of the plant capacity with “multi-pathway production” and follows investment of some €680m (c. £591m) by Toyota, which includes a Czech Government investment of up to €64m (approx. £55.6m) towards a dedicated facility for battery assembly.

The plant will be expanded from 152,000 to 173,000m2 to accommodate production of the new vehicle and its battery, alongside new paint and welding shops.

The news is a significant milestone for both the company and the Czech Republic, which will also gain from benefits for the supply chain, as the majority of parts volume will be sourced in the counattempt.

Toyota stated the decision signals a “further rollout of its multi-pathway strategy designed to achieve its objective of carbon neutral operations in Europe by 2040”.

Somewhat late in shifting to fully electric cars, Toyota has long prioritised hybrids and its “multi-pathway” approach. Its Urban Cruiser, twinned with the Suzuki e Vitara SUV, joined the line-up this summer as the brand’s second fully electric car and the C-HR+ SUV arrives later this year.

Yoshihiro Nakata, president and CEO at Toyota Motor Europe, stated: “This new battery electric vehicle production is testament to the dedication of our employees and the vision shared with the Czech government to advance sustainable mobility and innovation. We fully appreciate this investment, the historical support and recognition of the Czech Republic and our contribution to Czech society will continue as a ‘Best in Town’ company. This advanced technology project will enhance our presence in the European market and contribute alongside our other solutions towards more efficient transportation.”

Toyota started producing the Aygo at Kolin in 2002 when the plant was a joint venture. The carbuildr acquired full ownership in 2021 and the site is now one of the largest employers in the Central Bohemia region.

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