It's now official: Toyota will assemble the GR Corolla in the UK
Japanese carmaker Toyota has announced plans to produce the hot GR Corolla hatchback in the UK from 2026 in response to growing global demand for the model.
Here's What We Know
Confirming a Reuters report this week, the company said it has selected a plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, to expand GR Corolla production capacity. Preparations have been underway since last year.
The first GR model outside the brand's home country
The sporty Corolla will be the first model in the GR range to be produced outside of Japan. Toyota said the Bernaston plant - Toyota Manufacturing UK - represents a natural choice due to the facility's manufacturing capabilities and staff skills. The company also emphasised the UK's motorsport culture, which is in line with the GR (Gazoo Racing) sub-brand philosophy. In addition, the Bernaston plant already has an established supply chain for Corolla bodies and components.
Demand exceeds supply
Toyota explained that the decision is part of a major production reorganisation aimed at speeding up production and shortening delivery times for customers. GR Corolla buyers in the US have faced long waits for ordered vehicles and dealer surcharges since the model's launch in 2022.
Specific production volumes and the size of the investment will be announced by the company at a later date. However, Reuters previously reported that the addition of a new production line in the UK would require £41 million of investment and provide capacity for up to 10,000 cars per year.
Japanese capacity utilisation
According to Reuters, Toyota Motomachi's plant in Japan - the so-called GR Factory responsible for producing the GR Corolla, GR Yaris and GR86 - is currently operating at full capacity. Last year, the facility assembled 25,000 GR vehicles, about a third of which were Corolla models.
Strategic outlook
In addition to increasing total GR Corolla production, the launch of UK production will give Toyota additional flexibility to assemble other models at the Motomachi plant. The company will be able, for example, to ramp up production of the GR Yaris or add all-new models to the Japanese plant's production programme.
Source: Toyota
