Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkiye celebrates re-start of New Corolla mass production at Sakarya
•Turkish plant is the first to start production of the new generation Corolla outside Japan
•TMMT will export Corollas to be sold in more than 50 countries globally including Middle East, North Africa and Central Asia
•Totally 150 Million Euro investment has been realised for Corolla project of Toyota Turkey and 900 members hired for the project
Sakarya — Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkiye (TMMT) today held an official ceremony to mark the start of 11th generation Corolla production at its manufacturing plant in Sakarya. The New Generation Corolla line-off ceremony event attended by Economy Minister Mr.Zafer Cağlayan, Science Industry and Technology Minister Mr.Nihat Ergün, local authorities, suppliers and key Toyota Executives, TMC Chairman Mr.Uchiyamada and TME Executive Vice President Mr.Numa.
Uchiyamada, TMC Chairman, said: “The new Corolla, which has been reborn with styling that is more refined and more luxurious, is the new global symbol for our efforts to make ‘ever-better cars’. I am very proud that the European version of the new Corolla will call Sakarya its home. From here, let us continue to write the Corolla's history.”
Didier Leroy, President and CEO of TME, with the opportunity of the event, commented: “With the start of production of the new Corolla at TMMT, our product offer in the essential compact segment has been fully renewed in the past year. With this important milestone, we are definitely on the right path to achieve our target of sustainable growth this year but also in the future in Europe.”
Orhan Özer, President and CEO of Toyota Turkiye, also said: “Today I am very pleased that we re-started to produce new generation Corolla that was a milestone in Turkish automotive history. Today’s achievement has been made possible thanks to the joint efforts of our employees, suppliers and business partners. I would like to thank all those involved for their hard work and dedication and on this occasion I express my gratitude to TMC and TME”.
In 2013, 85% of the total production will be exported to European market and also North Africa, Middle East and Central Asia countries. 150 Million Euros investment is made for Corolla project and total investment reached 1.4 Billion Euros. 900 new member hired for Corolla project specifically. In 2014, total production of TMMT will reach 150,000 units.
In 1994, Toyota Turkiye started to its production operations in Sakarya Plant with 7th generation Corolla and Corolla production continued with 8th and 9th generation by the end of 2006. In line with global production strategy, Toyota Turkiye did not produce Corolla between 2007 and mid 2013 and now restart with the 11th generation.