Next Toyota EV to be built in Czech Republic
Toyota has announced that it will begin manufacturing its next all-electric vehicle at its plant in the city of Kolín, Czech Republic.
The yet-to-be named EV will be the first to be made at one of the Japanese giant’s European factories. When production begins, it will see the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) mega site grow from 152,000 square meters to 173,000m2.
The Kolín factory’s expansion will accomodate for on-site battery production, plus a paint shop, and welding facility. The development will cost Toyota around £592 million. Meanwhile, the Czech Government will contribute an additional £55.6m towards the dedicated battery assembly facility.
It is also expected that the updated factory will create 245 new jobs in the Czech Republic’s Central Bohemia Region where Kolín is located.
News of the expansion was made official at a ceremony hosted today in Prague by Czech Prime Minister, Petr Fiala, and Toyota Europe President and CEO, Yoshihiro Nakata. Czech Republic’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Lukás Vlček, was also present.
On the back of the news, Prime Minister Fiala explained that Toyota’s decision to build its upcoming EV at the Kolín factory is crucial to the Czech Republic’s car industry.
“The investment will not only expand the current production in Kolín, it also represents an important step in the direction of a higher technological level and keeping car manufacturing in our country,” he said.
“The automotive industry makes up around 10% of our GDP, and if we want to keep it, we must systematically modernise it. It is exactly such projects that are crucial for the future of the Czech automotive industry.”
Nakata added: “This new battery electric vehicle production is testament to the dedication of our employees and the vision shared with the Czech Government to advance sustainable mobility and innovation.
“This advanced technology project will enhance our presence in the European market and contribute alongside our other solutions towards more efficient transportation.”
The TMMCZ factory was built from 2002 to 2005, and produces its Aygo X and Yaris Hybrid models at a capacity of 220,000 vehicles per-year. Despite being initially reluctant to EVs, Toyota has announced an all-electric model blitz.
While a start date for EV manufacturing in the Czech Republic has yet to be confirmed, 2025 has seen Toyota unveil its Citroen Ami-rivaling FT-Me, the mid-sized C-HR+ SUV, the 376bhp bZ4X Touring estate, an updated bZ4X, and its Urban Cruiser compact crossover.
