Media reports say Toyota will relocate part of its GR Corolla sports car production to Britain, with plans to invest approximately £41m in a dedicated production line in its Burnaston, Derby plant, but its not yet been oonfirmed by the Japanese car maker.
This strategic shift aims to utilise excess capacity in Britain to reduce delivery wait times for the GR Corolla, a move not influenced by US tariffs. The decision comes amidst the backdrop of the Trump administration’s recent agreement to lower tariffs on auto imports from Britain to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles annually.
Meanwhile, Japan seeks to repeal the 25% tariffs imposed on all auto imports by the US, presenting an additional challenge for global automakers.
Currently, Toyota manufactures the GR Corolla in Japan for both domestic and international markets, including North America. The added work could be good for any UK component suppliers to Burnaston.
However, the high demand from engine enthusiasts in North America has outpaced supply and to address this, Toyota will reportedly establish a production line at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire to produce 10,000 units annually from mid-2026.
The Burnaston plant, operational since 1992, has experienced a production decline post-Brexit. It already produces the Corolla GR’s base model, making it a suitable choice for the new production line.
