Toyota to invest £100million in UK jobs and manufacturing
Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has announced plans to build its next generation hatchback models at its Burnaston, Derbyshire plant, creating up to 1,500 new jobs.
The automotive giant will invest around £100million in tooling and equipment at Burnaston, taking its total investment in the UK manufacturing business to more than £2.1billion since it was established as the company's first European production centre in 1989. A further £85million will be invested in the UK supply chain.
Tony Walker, deputy managing director of Toyota UK, said: "This is great news for Burnaston and Deeside. It will safeguard our current employment levels and create up to 1,500 additional jobs in the next two years, with the first phase of recruiting 500 members starting in the middle of next year.
"The decision to bring all production of new generation C-segment hatchbacks to Britain reflects on the excellent work done by our members in delivering the highest standards in productivity and quality. Going beyond our own operations, there will also be benefits for our local communities and regions, safeguarding thousands of jobs in the UK supply chain."
Prime Minister David Cameron welcomed the news of Toyota's further investment in British manufacturing and jobs, describing the move as 'a massive vote of confidence for UK manufacturing'.
Speaking at the Derbyshire plant, he said: "This investment and the jobs it will create provide a terrific boost not just to the local economy but to the whole country, and is a tribute to the great skill, hard work and sheer professionalism shown by the Toyota workforce.
"Toyota's commitment to the UK shows the growing strength of the UK car industry - it is our great British success story."
