Turkish Toyota to carry more locally produced parts
The new Corolla, slated to enter production in the first half of 2013 in Toyota’s Sakarya plant in northwestern Turkey, will carry more locally-procured parts than the previous Toyota-branded vehicles manufactured in the country, according to Toyota Motor Europe President, Didier Leroy, speaking to the Turkish press at the Paris Motor Show.
“Beginning with the 11th gen Corolla, we plan to increase the percentage of locally-manufactured parts and overall local contribution to the vehicles produced in Turkey,” Leroy told reporters, adding that reaching maximum production capacity at the Sakarya plant is critical to Toyota Europe. The new Corolla is expected to play a pivotal part in the Japanese automaker’s European operations in terms of efficiency and profitability. Toyota manufactured the Corolla model in Turkey for 12 years before switching to the hatchback, Auris in 2006.
Toyota’s Sakarya plant will focus on the manufacturing of Corolla and Verso, leaving the Auris to the company’s British plant, said Leroy. The combined production of Corolla and Verso in Turkey will reach 150,000 vehicles per year. The company will also expand its workforce to 3,200 people, while investing USD 150 million for production line upgrades at the facility.
02.10.2012
SOURCE: INVEST.GOV.TR
