The announcement comes about one year after Toyota denied reports of it planning to produce the new small hybrid at the French location.
Although the name of the new hybrid model has not been revealed, speculation is that the Japanese carmaker is planning a hybrid version of the same Yaris. That would be in line with the carmaker's goal of having at least one hybrid version for each Lexus and Toyota models produced.
"This decision fits in Toyota's strategy to extend the full hybrid technology to an increasing number of models. Since 2000, almost 300,000 Toyota and Lexus hybrid vehicles have been sold in Europe – and sales results are climbing steadily," Toyota Motor Europe said in a statement cited by just-auto.com.”Its UK plant recently began production of the Auris (Corolla) hybrid hatchback.“
TMMF currently employs 3,000 workers, having assembled some 1.8 million Yaris vehicles since the model's introduction in Europe in 2001. Currently, the French facility has an annual output of 270,000 units.
"We express our warm gratitude to the authorities for the help they provided in the context of this project,” added Toyota's Motor Manufacturing France president Makoto Sano.
“The perspective of receiving financial support from the state and regional and local authorities have played a significant role in the decision in favor of TMMF."
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