Toyota breaks the ice e brings its first electric car to the Czech Republic produced in the Old Continent. It Kolín plant, already the cradle of the Aygo X and Yaris Hybrid, will be the nerve centre of the new course: 680 million euros of investments, 64 of which were donated by the Czech government. The expansion will bring the plant to 173 square meters, with new painting and welding lines and, most importantly, a battery assembly department.
For Prague it's a masterstrokeThe automotive industry is worth 10% of the national GDP and the arrival of a project of this magnitude strengthens the country's competitiveness“I am delighted that the Czech Republic has managed to secure a foreign investor like Toyota,” said the Prime Minister. Peter FialaThe operation will create 245 new jobs direct and will generate benefits estimated at approximately 250 million euros for the State.
Toyota accelerates, but with caution
The Japanese giant remains faithful to its “multi-pathway” strategy composed not only of electric, but also hybrid, plug-in, and hydrogen. A caution that, so far, has paid off, given the turbulence in EV demand globally. But meanwhile, in Europe, the Japanese company is preparing the ground: between 2025 and 2026 it will launch nine electric models between Toyota and LexusThe new Czech BEV fits into this mosaic, with the goal of achieving carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.
Kolín, twenty years of industrial history
The TmmCz (Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic) plant is no stranger to major transformations. Established in 2002 and wholly owned by Toyota since 2021, it has already produced over 4,5 million carsToday it employs 3.200 people and has also become a logistics hub for the distribution of Toyota and Lexus products in six Central European markets. With the new project, cumulative investments will rise to approximately 2 billion euros.
Toyota, an electric SUV on the way?
Toyota did not reveal which model will be produced in KolínAccording to rumors circulating in Japan, it could be a 100% electric SUV intended debuting in 2028, with an estimated production capacity of 100 thousand units per year.
For now, the group is limiting itself to talking about a fundamental step towards "strengthening the European presence and promoting more efficient mobility", as it stated. Yoshihiro Nakata, president of Toyota Motor Europe.
