Toyota celebrates contribution to Britain’s motor industry

Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) will today (14 December) celebrate 15 years of support to Britain’s motor industry with The Rt Hon John Hutton MP, Secretary of State for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, at its Burnaston Vehicle Plant in Derbyshire. The Minister will meet employees and tour Toyota’s largest plant in Europe, before officially handing over the first UK-built Toyota vehicle to the Heritage Motor Centre.

The first car manufactured by Toyota in Europe, a Carina E, drove off the Burnaston production line on the 16th December 1992. TMUK will today, almost 15 years and over 2.5 million vehicles later, donate this landmark model to the Heritage Motor Centre, Gaydon, Warwickshire, where it will join the world’s largest collection of iconic British-produced vehicles alongside a new exhibition entitled: ‘Making British Cars’.

Speaking ahead of the event Hein Van Gerwen, Managing Director, TMUK said: “This milestone firmly establishes our role in Britain’s proud car manufacturing history. It is fitting that we take this opportunity to donate the first Toyota vehicle manufactured in the UK to the Heritage Motor Centre where it can be enjoyed by visitors the world over. We are delighted that the Secretary of State joins our celebrations as we reflect on our achievements and look forward to manufacturing more quality products for our growing customer base in Europe.”

Rt Hon John Hutton MP said: “The UK car industry is a real success story and has gone from strength to strength over the past decade, which is testament to the commitment of both manufacturers and the workforce. As a result, we’re now making nearly twice as many cars every year compared with 25 years ago – and around a fifth of these are made by Toyota here in the UK.

“2007 has been another excellent year for Toyota, with extra investment into North Wales, the launch of the Auris, and the Burnaston plant running at near-full capacity.

It’s clear that Toyota has made a substantial contribution to the British economy and its presence in the East Midlands and North Wales has brought huge benefits to the local areas. The company is very much a British manufacturer. As a Government, we’re committed to helping British manufacturing thrive – and rise to the new challenges posed by globalisation and the move to a low carbon economy.”

Since the start of production in 1992 over 2.5 million vehicles and over 3 million engines have been produced at the Burnaston, Derbyshire (vehicle manufacturing) and Deeside, North Wales (engine manufacturing) plants. Demonstrating TMUK’s ongoing commitment to the environment, over 350,000 trees and shrubs have been planted on-site since construction began in 1990.

Representing an investment of over £1.75 billion, TMUK manufactures Auris and Avensis models for 80 markets worldwide, with around 80 per cent of production going to mainland Europe. From the Deeside plant, engines and parts are exported to seven other Toyota plants on four continents. Over 4,900 people are employed at the two plants.

Drawing together the collections of the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, The Heritage Motor Centre opened in 1993 and boasts over 250 cars which span the classic, vintage and veteran eras. More than 120,000 people visit the Centre every year.

Julie Tew, Managing Director, Heritage Motor Centre, said: “Our Mission is to collect, conserve, research and display for the benefit of the nation, motor vehicles and archives relating to the British motor industry. As Toyota celebrates its 15th anniversary of manufacturing in Britain, I am delighted to accept their very first car off the production line at Burnaston into the collection at the Heritage Motor Centre where it will take its rightful place representing the lineage of the motor industry in Britain today.”