Corolla makes history as Toyota’s five millionth UK-built car
- Toyota’s UK car production reaches five million units since the opening of its Burnaston car plant in 1992
- Landmark vehicle is a Corolla GR Sport Hatchback hybrid
- Toyota Manufacturing UK is one of the country’s leading automotive businesses and one of Toyota’s principal European production centres
Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) is celebrating the five millionth car to be built at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. The milestone model is a Corolla GR Sport Hatchback hybrid, finished in blazing Scarlet Flare paintwork, which came off the assembly line earlier this month.
Parked nose-to-tail, the UK-built Toyotas would form a line almost 14,000 miles long – more than half way around the world.
The achievement highlights TMUK’s status as one of Toyota’s principal European manufacturing centres and a key player in the UK automotive sector. Since its founding in 1989, it has benefited from more than £2.82 billion investment, keeping it at the cutting edge of new technologies, skills and production methods.
Notably it was the first Toyota facility outside Japan to make hybrid vehicles and it continues to be a centre of excellence for the technology. Today, 100 per cent of UK production is hybrid.
At the same time, TMUK has consistently been a global trailblazer for Toyota’s ambitious and wide-ranging environmental programme, pioneering the generation and use of sustainable energy sources, minimising waste and maximising opportunities for recovering, recycling and re-using parts and materials. TMUK’s engine plant in Deeside, North Wales, is on course to become Toyota’s first global carbon neutral production site in 2025.
Darius Mikolajczak, TMUK Managing Director, said: “This is a proud moment for everyone at TMUK and symbolic of the commitment to quality, productivity and competitiveness that is at the heart of our business and shared by all our members.
“The milestone of five million cars represents more than just a numerical achievement. It also reflects our contribution to the UK economy and our continued investment in making ever-better cars, embracing new technologies and new ways of working, while building strong and mutually rewarding relationships both with our suppliers, our partners and our local communities. This would not have been possible without the dedication of all our members, past and present. Their engagement and motivation are second to none and a true credit to our business.”
Corolla: the world’s best-seller
The Corolla name-plate has appeared on more vehicles worldwide than any other, with more than 50 million sold to date, arguably making it the world’s most popular car*.
The current Corolla is the 12th generation in a bloodline that goes back to 1966. It carries forward a heritage of innovation and customer appeal that have made Corolla so successful, ensuring that it remains a key player at the heart of the market.
Today’s Corolla exemplifies the quality, durability and reliability that are central to the brand, giving customers peace of mind that their car won’t let them down. The key areas of safety, on-board connectivity, efficient performance and a rewarding driving experience are all brought together in a package that is both stylish and highly practical.
There’s a breadth of choice with a dual hybrid strategy that offers two powertrain options – 1.8 and 2.0-litre – both offering a characteristically smooth, quiet and refined drive, with strong fuel economy and low emissions. Toyota has been the world leader in hybrid for more than a quarter of a century, a technology that remains central to its multi-path strategy for sustaining reductions in CO2 emissions towards ultimate carbon neutrality.
The current Corolla line-up features a five-door Hatchback and a Touring Sports estate version. The choice of equipment grades includes GR Sport versions that add sporting touches inspired by the world championship-winning success of Toyota Gazoo Racing.
These models are all produced by TMUK, together with Corolla Commercial, a Touring Sports repurposed at Burnaston as a compact hybrid van – the first of its kind on the UK market.
Toyota Manufacturing UK
The UK continues to play a significant role in Toyota’s European operations. It is here that Toyota built its first European production facilities – establishing TMUK with an engine plant in Deeside, North Wales, and a car factory at Burnaston, near Derby. These plants came on stream in 1992, since when Toyota has invested £2.82 billion in its operations. Today TMUK directly employs around 3,000 people and many thousands more indirectly in an extensive supply chain.
Burnaston was Toyota’s first plant in Europe to produce full hybrid vehicles. Today it is the European centre of production for the Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports full hybrid models. Deeside manufactures engines, including hybrid engines, for the Corolla and Toyota C-HR models.
The majority of TMUK’s vehicle production (around 85 per cent) is exported, mostly to the European Union and other European markets.
TMUK production timeline – from Carina E to Hydrogen Hilux
1992: the Carina E was the first car to come off the Burnaston production line, on 16 December.
1997: Carina E is replaced by the all-new Avensis, the first of three generations of the mid-size salon, hatchback and Touring estate. All versions of the car sold in Europe were UK-built and almost two million were made up to the end of production in July 2018.
1998: the first Corolla models – five-door hatchbacks – are manufactured at the plant.
2001: an all-new Corolla hatch enters production and becomes the one millionth car built at Burnaston.
2006: Corolla makes way for the all-new Auris.
2010: the first generation Auris ushers in the start of hybrid vehicle production at TMUK.
2011: Toyota announces that TMUK will be the sole European production centre for the second generation Auris, building both hatchback and Touring Sports estate versions of the car – including hybrids. The decision is backed by a £100 million investment in Burnaston.
2019: Auris production comes to a close and Corolla makes a welcome return to the UK market in an all-new 12th generation.
2022: Burnaston becomes the research and development centre of a new version of the Toyota Hilux pick-up – a model renowned for its exceptional toughness and ability to tackle the harshest environments. A Toyota-led consortium successfully develops a model powered by a hydrogen fuel cell system, which makes its public debut in prototype form in June 2024.
2024: TMUK remains responsible for the manufacture of all Hatchback, Touring Sports and Commercial versions of the model, which since 2023 have used fifth generation hybrid technology.
Throughout, the British-built Toyota models have been equipped with engines built by TMUK at Deeside.
TMUK: beyond manufacturing
Beyond its manufacturing achievements, TMUK is also proud of its commitment to society, supporting learning and good causes in the local communities and wider regions where its operations are based. At Burnaston, learning facilities have long been established to deliver the skills for employment and career development. The Toyota Academy at Burnaston offers formal training and apprenticeships for Toyota’s technicians and sales teams from across the UK. Opportunities are also extended to other businesses – including suppliers and partners – to learn about the Toyota Production System and how it can be successfully applied across different sectors.
Regular opportunities are provided for students of all ages – from junior schools to colleges and universities – to visit TMUK and learn about manufacturing the rewards of careers in the industry.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
*Corolla ranked 1st for new vehicle registrations 2010 – 2023. To verify visit https://www.toyota.co.uk/corolladata
