Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey to become Toyota’s first European plant to produce plug-in-hybrid vehicles and batteries

The second generation Toyota C-HR will be produced at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) in Sakarya. Available in hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions, the new Toyota C-HR will also be the first plug-in hybrid passenger car to be produced in Turkey. In addition, TMMT will be Toyota’s first European plant to start producing plug-in hybrid vehicles, and the first to be equipped with a battery production line.

The 100% electrified powertrain line-up of the new Toyota C-HR reflects Toyota’s commitment to offer appropriate carbon reduction opportunities to the largest and most competitive market segment in Europe. In addition to the hybrid version, the new plug-in hybrid Toyota C-HR with locally assembled batteries will further expand Toyota’s multi-technology offer towards its target of 100% CO₂ reduction in its vehicle line-up in Europe¹ by 2035.

Start of plug-in hybrid vehicle and battery production marks a strategic milestone in Europe

Alongside the vehicle production line, TMMT will build a new plug-in battery assembly line with a capacity of 75,000 units per year within its facility. Plug-in hybrid battery assembly will start in December 2023, creating around 60 new skilled jobs.

The creation of a battery assembly line in TMMT is a strategic milestone for Toyota’s electrification transformation and will also support other Toyota Europe plants in the future with capable manpower and know-how. Total investment for this project will be around €317million, bringing the overall cumulative investment in TMMT to around €2.3billion. In scope of the new model investment, TMMT will improve and enhance its production line, whilst laying down the framework to meet the future requirements of production diversity and flexibility - a key factor in Toyota Europe’s business sustainability strategy.

Green Plant

Toyota is committed to achieving full carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040, and is targeting carbon neutrality in all its manufacturing facilties by 2030.  TMMT is progressing towards this goal by introducing technologies which minimise energy consumption while at the same time, switching to renewable energy within the Sakarya plant.  These measures include the introduction of new paint shop technologies which minimise CO2 emissions and the use of solar energy which aims to make the plant self-sufficient in its energy use.

’’In this project, which reveals TMMT’s high-quality vehicle production experience and advanced engineering ability, we will implement our responsibilities with great dedication. This represents an exciting step forward for TMMT’s future as it continues to produce popular attractive and high quality models. This project once again confirms that our production facility in Sakarya is a globally important place for Toyota. I am proud to share this important milestone on behalf of our employees and valuable suppliers.  As one team, we will continue to contribute to Sakarya and Turkish economy by working together with all our energy.

’’We are proud to announce that TMMT will produce the second-generation Toyota C-HR including the first plug-in hybrid vehicle in Europe. The outstanding performance and dedication which our TMMT employees deliver will make this new model a great success, just like its predecessor. It also marks another important milestone with the start of our first battery assembly line in Europe, which is an important step in our European electrification plan

Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME) oversees the wholesale sales and marketing of Toyota, GR (Gazoo Racing) and Lexus vehicles and parts and accessories, as well as Toyota’s European manufacturing and engineering operations. Toyota directly employs over 25,000 people and has invested over EUR 11 billion in Europe since 1990. Its eight European manufacturing plants are located in Portugal, the UK, France, Poland, Czech Republic and Turkey. Today, there are approximately 16.5 million Toyota, GR and Lexus vehicles on European roads, whose drivers are supported by a network of 28 National Marketing and Sales Companies and around 2,800 retail sales outlets in 53 countries (EU, UK, EFTA countries + Russia, Israel, Turkey and other Eastern European countries). In 2022, TME sold 1,080,975 vehicles in Europe for a 6.4% market share. For more information, visit Facts & Figures (toyota.eu) and www.toyota-europe.com.

Toyota believes that when people are free to move, anything is possible. In the pursuit of “Mobility for All”, Toyota aims to create safer, more connected, inclusive and sustainable mobility to achieve its mission of producing “Happiness for All”. In Europe, TME launched the KINTO mobility brand which offers a range of mobility services in 14 countries, and is growing its business-to-business sales of zero-emission fuel cell products and engineering support. Contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals, Toyota is working to achieve carbon neutrality in its entire business across Europe. A historic leader in CO2 reduction in Europe, TME aims to achieve 100% CO2 reduction in all new vehicles in Western Europe by 2035 and will continue to offer a full range of electrified powertrains to customers across the region with its hybrid, plug-in hybrid, battery and fuel cell electric vehicles. When it comes to sustainability, Toyota is committed to going Beyond Zero.