First Toyota Yaris Rolls Off Production Line

The first unit of the all-new, third generation Toyota Yaris has been assembled today at the Japanese carmaker’s manufacturing facility in Valenciennes, France. The landmark compact car is a white 1.0-liter VVT-i petrol 3-door Yaris and marks the start of production of the latest addition to Toyota’s product line-up at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France.

“The new Yaris will accelerate our progress and help Toyota achieve its European potential – I’m convinced that we should be selling at least one million cars a year in Europe in the next two to three years,” said Didier Leroy, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe.

The importance of the Yaris can not be exaggerated, as Toyota wants to sell a total of 200,000 Yaris vehicles in Europe on a full-year basis. The new compact has stiff competition, as just about every carmaker has a model of this size.

“I’m very proud of the new Yaris. Since the start of the project, all TMMF members have shown the highest level of commitment to deliver a vehicle with the best possible levels of quality to continue building on the Yaris success story in Europe, and the bright future of TMMF,” Makoto Sano, President of TMMF said.

Entry into the new Yaris range is made via the three-cylinder 1.0-litre VVT-i petrol version that generates 70 hp at 6,000 rpm and maximum torque of 93 Nm (68 lb-ft) at 3,600 rpm. Next up is the 1.33-litre Dual VVT-i petrol engine providing 100 hp and 125 Nm (92 lb-ft) at 4,000 rpm. Diesel options include and are limited to the 1.4-litre D-4D engine fitted as standard with a diesel particulate filter (DPF). It is capable of producing 90 hp at and maximum torque of 205Nm (151 lb-ft) between 1,800 and 2,800 rpm.

The Yaris brand was introduced back in 1999 with the launch of the first generation. It was developed based on a new concept that combined a compact exterior with a roomy interior.