Latest news with #Burnaston
Top Gear
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Top Gear
Toyota will build GR Corollas in the UK because of its ‘deep motorsport culture'
Toyota will build GR Corollas in the UK because of its 'deep motorsport culture' No confirmation if we'll be getting any GR Corollas ourselves, mind Skip 6 photos in the image carousel and continue reading Turn on Javascript to see all the available pictures. 1 / 6 Toyota will build the GR Corolla in the UK from 2026 partly to cope with demand, and partly because of our excellent motorsport culture and expertise as the primary reasons. Basically, Toyota reckons we're pretty good at building fast things. The GR Corolla will be manufactured at Toyota's Burnaston plant, near Derby, where the standard Corolla and Corolla Touring Sports models are currently being produced. Makes sense, considering the two cars share a few exterior panels and interior trim. Advertisement - Page continues below Something that certainly isn't shared is the engine: a punchy little 1.6-litre three-pot that also features in the equally punchy (and brilliant) GR Yaris. Which means 300bhp and 295lb ft, enough to chalk off 0-62mph in five seconds. (These GR engines are built in Toyota's Motomachi plant in Japan.) OK, we know what you're thinking: the GR Corolla's being built here, but we can't buy one. Well, Toyota has confirmed future markets and production volume strategy will be clarified over the coming months. And having acknowledged the UK's love for racy things, there's reason enough for us to be optimistic. Optimism that runs to the even racier GR Corollas Toyota's been working on... Advertisement - Page continues below Top Gear Newsletter Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox. Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox. Success Your Email*
Auto Express
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Auto Express
Toyota GR Corolla to be built in the UK, but British buyers still can't have one
In an effort to keep on top of increasing demand for the hot GR Corolla, Toyota has announced the car will be built at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. There had been hopes the GR Corolla would become the fourth fully-fledged GR product to go on sale in the UK, after the GR Supra, GR86 and the GR Yaris, but Toyota has given no indication that it'll be added to the line-up. Advertisement - Article continues below The decision to bring GR Corolla production to the UK makes more sense when you factor in the car's long waiting lists in the US, plus increasing dealer mark-ups as a result of strong demand. The GR Yaris and GR86 both experienced high demand during their initial launches in 2022, with spots on waiting lists being sold for sums that reached four figures. Taking the slack off Toyota's Motomachi plant in Japan where the GR Corolla, GR Yaris and GR86 are manufactured, the Burnaston factory already exports 85 per cent of its production overseas and recently celebrated its five millionth car – a Corolla GR Sport Hatchback hybrid. The GR Corolla has had hot hatch enthusiasts excited since it was revealed in 2022. It uses the same three-cylinder 1.6-litre turbocharged engine as the 276bhp GR Yaris, but tuned to 295bhp. Like the GR Yaris, power goes to all four wheels through a torque vectoring system, and there's even been a choice of automatic or six-speed manual transmissions. Toyota says that preparations for the hot hatch's production line have been in place since 2024, although we expect the GR Corolla will be made on the same line as the standard car with new tooling added for the changes in bodywork and powertrain. Toyota says the first UK-built GR Corolla will roll off the factory floor in 2026. Commenting on the GR Corolla's production move, Yoshihiro Nakata, CEO of Toyota Motor Europe said: 'We are proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has also been selected as the first overseas Toyota plant to produce GR vehicles in securing this expansion project for TGR worldwide. 'We really appreciate the historical support and recognition of the United Kingdom and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a 'Best In Town' company.' Latest Toyota Corolla deals Now take a look at the best hot hatchbacks you can buy in the UK...
Motor 1
2 days ago
- Automotive
- Motor 1
Confirmed: Toyota Will Make the GR Corolla In the UK
The rumors were true: Toyota will begin producing the GR Corolla in the United Kingdom starting in 2026. Preparations at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK (TMUK) plant actually began last year and will culminate with the start of production sometime next year. The Burnaston factory in Derbyshire will become the company's first plant outside Japan to assemble a full-fat Gazoo Racing product. It makes sense to build the car in the UK, considering Toyota already produces the regular hatchback and the not-for-America Corolla Touring Sports wagon at the same site. Since its launch in 2022, the GR Corolla has been exclusively built in Japan at the Motomachi Plant. Whether relocating some of the production to the UK indicates plans to sell the car in Europe remains unclear. For now, the three-cylinder compact car remains a forbidden fruit on the Old Continent. Photo by: Toyota Toyota has announced that it will reveal details about where the UK-built GR Corolla will be sold at a later date. The company will also share information on annual production volumes and reveal how much it's investing to prepare the factory for the flagship model's arrival. TMUK has been making cars since 1992, when the first Carina rolled off the assembly line. The Avensis sedan and Auris hatch were also made there. Toyota cites growing demand for the GR Corolla as the reason behind its decision to expand manufacturing. It also aims to 'deliver vehicles to customers as swiftly as possible,' and according to Reuters , the UK-made cars will be shipped to the United States. The world's largest automaker for the fifth consecutive year is reportedly spending up to $56 million to make it happen. Once production ramps up, as many as 10,000 vehicles are expected to be shipped to North America annually. It's worth noting that the Trump administration imposed a 25% tariff on vehicles assembled in Japan, while tariffs on UK-made cars have been reduced from 27.5% to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles per year. Shifting production of US-bound GR Corollas to the UK would ease some of the tax burden, though it's unlikely current pricing will remain unchanged for long. Now might be the best time to buy one, unless you're holding out for the hardcore version Toyota recently teased. It'll have more torque than the standard car's 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), although it's unclear whether it will carry the GRMN badge or be a different kind of special edition. Expect a two-seat layout similar to the Morizo Edition. Stay Up To Speed With The GR Corolla: The 2025 Toyota GR Corolla Is Still the AWD Hot Hatch King How Toyota Made an Automatic Worthy of the GR Corolla Get the best news, reviews, columns, and more delivered straight to your inbox, daily. back Sign up For more information, read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use . Source: Toyota Share this Story Facebook X LinkedIn Flipboard Reddit WhatsApp E-Mail Got a tip for us? Email: tips@ Join the conversation ( )
The Sun
4 days ago
- Automotive
- The Sun
World's largest car maker hatching plans to invest £40 million in a new assembly line in UK
THE WORLD'S largest car maker are planning to invest a whopping £40million for a new assembly line in the UK. The Toyota plant at Burnaston could be in line for a major investment, as the company weighs moving production for the US market from Japan to Derbyshire. The car maker plans to invest around £41 million to set up a new production line dedicated to making GR Corollas, according to Reuters. Toyota has denied that Trump tariffs are behind the potential shift, despite taxes on Britain being 10 per cent compared to Japan's 25 per cent. In light of the potential move, Japanese automaker Toyota revealed that new cars could be added to the European market. Currently, the GR Corolla is only available in Japan and is exported to North America and select other markets. Burnaston plant currently produces the Corolla hatchback and estate for the UK and European markets, but production rates could significantly improve with the proposed investment. A new production line could be operational within 12 months, with reports suggesting that Japanese engineers may temporarily relocate to Derbyshire to assist with the transition. The first car built at Burnaston, in December 1992, was the Carina E. A rock-solid family motor specifically designed and engineered for Europe, hence the 'E'. It cost £12,145. In a world largely dominated by Sierras and Cavaliers, Carina E won many customer satisfaction awards for its advanced petrol engines, superior build quality, reliability and cheaper running costs. Much like Corolla today. Inside Toyota's UK production plant as it builds five MILLIONTH motor since first Carina E rolled off the line in 1992 Corolla is king at Burnaston now. One is born here every 142 seconds — almost 400 a day, 7,000 a month. Hatchback, estate and van. All with efficient self-charging petrol hybrids produced at Toyota's Deeside engine plant. All with Toyota's brilliant ten-year warranty. If you want a car that does everything it's meant to do really well, get a Corolla. It won't let you down. Burnaston also produced big numbers of the Avensis and Auris over the years, but switched back to Corolla in 2019. Park all five million British-built Toyotas end to end and they'd stretch from London to Tokyo and back. Toyota had invested an eye-watering £240million to upgrade the Burnaston plant in 2017. The car manufacturer had said the investment would boost competitiveness and promote the use of locally built components. At the time, Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: 'Our automotive sector is one of the most productive in the world and Toyota's decision to invest £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK auto sector. I also welcome the prospect of investment to take Toyota New Global Architecture into the supply chain. 'Toyota is one of the world's largest car producers and this inward investment underlines the company's faith in its employees and will help ensure the plant is well positioned for future Toyota models to be made in the UK. 'As we prepare to leave the EU, this Government is committed through our Industrial Strategy to ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business and we are able to help businesses seize on economic opportunities.'
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
Exclusive-Toyota to move some GR Corolla production to Britain, sources say
By Maki Shiraki TOKYO (Reuters) -Toyota plans to move some production of its GR Corolla sports car to Britain and will spend around $56 million on a dedicated line there to build exports for North America, according to two people familiar with the matter. By shifting some production from Japan, Toyota aims to use excess capacity in Britain to help it cut delivery wait times for the car, said the people, who spoke on condition of anonymity. The move was not in reaction to President Donald Trump's tariffs on automobile imports, they said. The Trump administration agreed this month to cut tariffs on auto imports from Britain to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles a year. Japan, which has been hit with 25% auto tariffs, is seeking to have them repealed. Toyota produces the GR Corolla in Japan for the Japanese market and for export to North America and other markets. But it hasn't been able to keep up with North American demand, given keen interest in the gasoline-powered car from engine enthusiasts, the people said. It will set up a production line at the Burnaston plant in Derbyshire and invest around 8 billion yen ($56 million) to produce 10,000 cars annually for export to North America from the middle of 2026, according to the people. Burnaston began operations in 1992 and possesses advanced production technology. It has suffered a decline in production since Brexit, said the people. The plant already produces the Corolla GR's base model, the Corolla hatchback, making it a natural choice, one of the people said. Engineers will be temporarily dispatched from Japan to share production technology and other expertise, the people said. In response to Reuters questions, Toyota said it was always looking for ways to optimise production. The report was not something the company had publicly announced, it said. ($1 = 142.6100 yen) Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
