Toyota pours £240m into English plant
TOYOTA is to invest £240m in its plant in Derbyshire, but the car giant’s boss has called for continued tariff- and barrier-free access between the UK and Europe.
The Japanese firm said the investment into its plant in Burnaston will see the centre upgraded with new equipment, technologies and systems.
It is good news for the 500-employee Toyota engine plant on Deeside, which supplies the site in England with Auris engines.
Johan van Zyl, president and chief executive of Toyota Motor Europe, said the cash injection was a sign of confidence in employees and suppliers.
But he warned: “Continued tariff-and barrier-free market access between the UK and Europe that is predictable and uncomplicated will be vital for future success.”
His comments come as the UK Government faces intense pressure to secure tariff-free access to the EU’s single market for car manufacturers following Brexit.
Toyota said the investment would improve competitiveness and enhance the car marker’s “supply chain efficiencies”, as well as enable the production of vehicles on the Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA) platform.
Dr van Zyl said: “This upgrade of Toyota Motor UK is a sign of confidence in our employees and suppliers and their focus on superior quality and greater efficiency. We welcome the UK Government funding contribution for this activity.
“Our investment demonstrates that, as a company, we are doing all we can to raise the competitiveness of our Burnaston plant in Derbyshire.”
The money will be backed by up to £21.3m of UK Government investment, subject to independent assessment, to support skills and training, research and development and innovation.
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 £240m upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK auto sector.
“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.”
Theresa May has given special Brexit assurances to rival Japanese carmaker Nissan as thousands of jobs in the sector hang in the balance after the Prime Minister confirmed she will remove Britain from the free trade area.