Toyota starts build of C-HR 09 | 11 | 2016
TOYOTA HAS OFFICIALLY started production of its new C-HR crossover, which is available to order now from Scottish dealerships with first deliveries scheduled for January.
The cars will be built in Toyota’s plant in Turkey, with hybrid engines supplied by the company’s Deeside engine plant in North Wales and transmissions from Poland.
Toyota has invested an additional £7.1 million in Toyota Manufacturing UK’s operations to bring the hybrid engine into production.
The new C-HR uses a Toyota New Global Architecture-based platform, which help deliver additional advantages including a low centre of gravity and a highly rigid body construction.
The model is the first outside Japan to be manufactured using TNGA, which is a central element in Toyota’s commitment to build better cars.
“The Toyota C-HR is a hugely important product for the whole of Toyota,” Dr Johan van Zyl, President and CEO Toyota Motor Europe, said. “The crossover segment is growing fast and this is our very strong entry into the segment.”
C-HR is unique in its part of the market by offering customers the choice of an efficient hybrid powertrain and joins the British-built Auris and the French manufactured Yaris as Toyota’s third European-manufactured hybrid vehicle.
The importance of this was emphasised by Moritaka Yoshida, President of Toyota Motor Corporation’s mid-size vehicle company.
“Hybrid defines Toyota,” he said. “Since the first Prius in 1997 we have steadily convinced more and more customers around the world that hybrid vehicles are one of the best solutions to today’s environmental issues. We have now sold more than 9.5 million hybrids globally.”
In addition to 1.8-litre hybrid engines from TMUK in Deeside, C-HR is using manual transmissions from Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland, featured in the 1.2T turbocharged petrol version.
TMMP will also start production of a hybrid transaxle for C-HR from 2018; currently this component is manufactured in Japan.
European suppliers account for most of the individual parts sourced to make C-HR: of the 135 total, 134 of these businesses are based in Europe.
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Jim McGill