Toyota Aygo Off The Mark
Start of production of second-generation model
This week there is a sure sign that summer is on its way with the official start of production of the new Toyota Aygo. The TPCA (Toyota Peugeot Citroën Automobile) factory in Kolin in the Czech Republic has set the production line rolling for the new car, which will reach Britain’s road in a few weeks’ time.
The joint venture plant, which is also producing the Peugeot 108 and Citroën C1, was established in 2005 to build the first generation Aygo and its siblings. For the new models it has benefited from new investment worth more than £175 million and added 700 new jobs.
Kent Koide, TPCA president, speaking on Monday, said: “A new phase in the life of TPCA starts today. I believe it will be as successful as the last, during which we produced almost 2.4 million high quality compact city cars. We expect that our traditional markets in both western and eastern Europe will be particularly interested in the new models.”
TPCA currently produces around 300 vehicles a day, at a line speed of one every 55 seconds. As early as next week this output will be increased to more than 700 and in early June the plant will be working at full capacity, with 1,000 cars coming off the line every 24 hours. TPCA plans to produce more than 210,000 units a year, from which Toyota is targeting annual sales of more than 80,000 in 2015 to take an estimated six per cent share of the European city car (A-segment) market.
New Aygo celebrated its world premiere at the Geneva motor show in March, creating an instant buzz with its new and highly distinctive X-themed frontal design and its great range of customisation options. All the styling and engineering decisions in new Aygo’s development were purposely made with fun in made.
Building on Aygo’s established character and market success, the second generation model will open up a wealth of new possibilities for customers to personalise their car, thanks to an extensive range of affordable and stylish customisation options both the exterior and the cabin. More than 10 vehicle elements can easily be replaced with alternative colours and executions, even after several years of ownership.
New Aygo is powered by an improved version of Toyota’s award-winning three-cylinder 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol engine, offered with a choice of manual or new x-shift automated manual transmissions. Top line combined cycle performance figures are 74.3mpg and 88g/km CO2 emissions.
More details about the UK model range, pricing, specifications and on-sale date will be announced soon.
