Toyota factory in France starts Yaris production for North American export
16 May 2013
Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) has started production of the Toyota Yaris compact car for export to the US, Canada and Puerto Rico. The model produced is the conventional gasoline-fueled Yaris and annual export volume will be around 25,000 units on a full-year basis.
An additional €10 million (US$12.9 million) has been invested by TMMF to build the Yaris to the specific requirements of the new export market.
TMMF will now export its vehicles to more than 40 countries.
The Toyota Yaris became the first vehicle ever produced in France to be certified with the new “French Origin Guaranteed” (“Origine France Garantie”) label. This certificate was created in order to help customers identify products that have more than 50% of their value manufactured in France.
The current, third-generation Toyota Yaris was launched in Europe in the summer of 2011, followed by the Toyota Yaris Hybrid in June 2012. In an overall declining B-segment, the Yaris model range grew 27% in 2012 compared to 2011, mainly supported by strong sales of the Yaris Hybrid. With sales of 182,841 vehicles, the Yaris model accounted for nearly 22% of Toyota’s total European sales in 2012.
Toyota is funny. They did such a great job of commercializing hybrid technology, and some of the best still, yet, they do nearly zero with EVs. I guess in the end they thought like every other major corporation that they should not cannibilize their own markets. Instead, they will let the rest of the world do it and be beaten to the technology. Very much like american corporations, so afraid of change they destroy their own futures. Well, I guess the US companies can at least expect the tax payers to save them from their own self destructive tendencies.
Posted by: Brotherkenny4 | 16 May 2013 at 09:02 AM
Many months ago, Toyota determined that EV,s were not price competitive nor battery reliability satisfactory at this time. When those two problems improve they can build an EV in a short time. I agree that the EV market is not great at this time.
Posted by: Jimr | 16 May 2013 at 09:42 AM
Toyota can cash in on proven high mpg/high reliability hybrids while GM plays e-assist.
Later, http://cleantechnica.com/2013/03/14/toyota-solid-state-batteries-that-leapfrog-li-ion-coming-in-2020/ US taxpayers TARP up GM, etc. again.
Posted by: kelly | 16 May 2013 at 10:35 AM
Currently, it could be said that:
1) Toyota is the clear HEV champion.
2) GM and Toyota could be called the PHEV champions.
3) Nissan, Tesla, Mitsubishi, BYD, (Ford and a few others) are BEV champions, with many more moving in.
4) Ford may be one of the few majors trying hard to mass produce all three technologies.
5) It is fair to believe that most majors will be involved and probably mass produce vehicles using all three technologies + FCEVs in the not to distant future.
6) It is also fair to believe that by 2020+ most majors will concentrate on PHEVs, BEVs and FCEVs.
Toyota may be a slow mover but whatever it does, it does it with great determination and with high quality products at affordable prices. Their many (5,000,000+) HEVs and PHEVs perform very well and so will their future BEVs whenever improved batteries become available.
Posted by: HarveyD | 16 May 2013 at 02:07 PM