Last week, the Japanese car maker Toyota (www.toyota-global.com) said it will spend £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant near Derby, so that it can make vehicles using its Toyota New Global Architecture platform.

The company says TNGA is a new way of building cars that involves standardising engines and components across all models. It has already introduced TNGA with its latest Prius car and the new C-HR cross-over.

Toyota says TNGA will improve the plant’s competitiveness and promote UK supply-chain efficiencies. The Government will be providing a grant of £21.3 million for training, research and development, as well as enhancements
to the plant’s environmental performance.

Toyota has been manufacturing cars in the UK since 1992. The Burnaston plant, which makes the Auris and Avensis models, will be the latest facility to benefit from a global programme that will see most of the company’s models using these latest platforms by 2020.

Business Secretary Greg Clark said: “Our automotive sector is one of the most productive in the world, and Toyota’s decision to spend £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK automotive sector.

“I also welcome the prospect of investment to take Toyota New Global Architecture into the supply chain. Toyota is one of the world’s largest car producers; this inward investment underlines the company’s faith in its employees and will help to ensure that the plant is well positioned for future Toyota models to be made in the UK.”