According to a statement, the introduction of new-generation hatchback models will increase Burnaston production volumes, creating up to 1,500 additional jobs in the next two years, with the first phase of 500 new staff being recruited in mid-2012.
Toyota’s investment of more than £100m in tooling and equipment at Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) brings its total investment in Britain to more than £2.1bn since 1989.
Didier Leroy, Toyota Motor Europe president and chief executive, said: ‘Toyota has a long and successful record of building vehicles and engines in the UK and our facilities here are among the finest in the world in terms of efficiency and environmental performance.
‘The investment we are making will secure a dynamic future for TMUK as a leading manufacturing centre for our core models in Europe.
‘We are not only making a significant investment in our own operations and workforce here, but also sustaining our supplier network in the UK.’
PMI falls as manufacturers feel the squeeze
17 months or two and a half years - which is it?