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Toyota Yaris: production in ten countries

The Yaris is a truly global Toyota model with production locations around the world. The first Yaris production began in January 1999 at the Takaoka plant in Aichi, Japan. Today, the Yaris is produced in 10 countries, namely Japan, Brazil, China, Taiwan, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, France and the Czech Republic.

Since 2001

In Europe, Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) has been producing the Yaris since 2001 and the Yaris Cross since 2021, the same year that Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) in Kolin also started Yaris production to meet increasing demand for the model in Europe. Cumulative European production of the Yaris family exceeded 4.6 million units by the end of 2022.

Key components of the Yaris, such as the gasoline and hybrid electric motors and transmissions, are produced locally at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Poland (TMMP). That plant supplies the components to both TMMF and TMMCZ.

Twice car of the year

The first-generation Toyota Yaris won the Car of the Year title in 2000, the first Toyota model ever to earn that distinction. The judges praised the looks of the first-generation Yaris both inside and out, as well as the versatility of the cozy cabin. The Yaris’ 1.0-liter engine was also praised for its genius and efficiency, with judges saying it is the best 1.0-liter engine you can buy. At the time, it was reason enough to make up some original headlines: “Did you guys know that this Toyota is the car of the Yaris?

Shortlisted every time

In the year 2000, the Yaris also won the Japanese Car of the Year title. In Japan, however, the Yaris carries a different name: the Toyota Vitz. Each subsequent generation of Yaris then makes it to the shortlist for Car of the Year. In 2021, the current generation became the first model with a second Car of the Year title in the 21st century.

A car with many names

Around the world, the Toyota Yaris goes by different names. From its debut in Japan in 1999 until the launch of the current generation, the model was marketed as Vitz. Depending on variant and region, the model is also known as the Toyota Platz, Echo, Belta, Vios and Scion iA. The sales milestone of 10 million units includes only those bearing the Yaris, Vitz, Yaris Cross and GR Yaris name.

What does the name Yaris mean?

In Europe, we know the car only as the Yaris. The name Yaris is derived from “Charis,” the unique form of Charites, the Greek goddesses of charm, beauty, nature, human creativity and fertility.

Sales figures

That the Yaris has been a great success in Europe since its introduction is immediately evident from its sales figures. By the end of February 2023, 5,155,506 units of the Yaris family had been sold in Europe since the launch of the first generation Yaris in 1999. By 2022, sales of the Yaris family represented more than a third of Toyota’s total sales in Europe with 185,781 units of the Yaris, 156,086 units of the Yaris Cross and 5,392 units of the GR Yaris, accounting for 8% of the total segment.

Why so popular?

But what is it that makes the Toyota Yaris so popular? In fact, for years it has been the right car at the right time. The hybrid technology, in particular, appeals to many individuals. In addition, it is a friendly and accessible car. As a hybrid, not cheap, but apparently people don’t mind. In Italy at the time, Toyota ran a catchy advertising campaign. In that campaign, the Yaris was affectionately called “piccolo genio”: or “little genius. Perhaps that is the best summary.

Built in Europe

Anticipating the popularity of the first-generation Yaris, Toyota began construction of a new production facility in Valenciennes, France, in October 1998 to complement the Yaris production line at the Takaoka plant. From the beginning, TMMF was designed as a “green, clean and lean factory of the 21st century. The plant is 30% more compact compared to a typical car plant of the era. This gives the plant a head start to drastically reduce energy use and emissions.

TMMF is France’s largest automaker by 2022

TMMF started in January 2001 with an initial annual production capacity of 150,000 units. By 2022, annual production had grown to 255,584 units, making the plant the largest car production site in France by volume that year. In the same year, the Yaris Cross became the most produced model of any brand in France for the first time, with 161,508 units produced. In doing so, the model dethroned its brother Yaris, which topped the list seven times in the past 10 years.

How many people?

The plant employs 5,000 people and a total of 1.5 billion euros has been invested in the plant. This includes the capital investment required for each new generation and model, as well as resources dedicated to continually improving the plant’s environmental performance. Just a few years after its establishment, part of the roof was covered with photovoltaic panels and a 400-square-meter solar wall was installed.

Completely self-sufficient in water use

Since 2019, the plant has been using 100% renewable electricity, and since 2012, two on-site basins, with a combined volume of 16,000 m³, have made the plant completely self-sufficient in water use. Most of it comes from rainwater collected from the basins, while the remaining amount is recycled from plant wastewater. This water is pretreated to meet the required standards for use in the production process.

Fewer emissions

Over the past 20 years, TMMF has reduced the energy required to produce a Yaris by 59%. This makes the plant a world leader within Toyota. Added to that is the recent installation of a new paint line in the plastics department, a global first from Toyota. This installation is expected to save 1,000 tons of_CO2 annually . TMMF has set itself the goal of being carbon neutral from 2030 and zero emissions by 2040.