Toyota to build hybrid car for Suzuki at Burnaston plant

Toyota is joining forces with Suzuki to build a hybrid car for the fellow Japanese brand at its factory in Derbyshire.

It will be based on the Toyota Corolla and will feature engines built in Deeside with electrical components coming from Japan.

Although there won’t be any new jobs or investment as a result, it does bring job security for the 3,000-plus who already work at the Burnaston plant, as the manufacturer said it would make the production centre more efficient.

It is part of a resource-sharing agreement by the two companies. Hybrids based on the Rav4 and Corolla will be manufactured by Toyota in Europe for Suzuki, which will provide Toyota with petrol engines for its compact vehicles that are sold across the continent.

Marvin Cooke, managing director of Toyota’s UK, said: “This is good news for our UK plants and demonstrates Toyota’s trust in the capability of our workforce to deliver the highest levels of superior quality products.

“Seeking to produce additional volume for other customers is one example of all the efforts we are making to keep our UK manufacturing operations as competitive as they can be.”

Production is scheduled to begin late next year.