Toyota’s French factory starts Yaris production for North American export

Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) has started production on its Toyota Yaris compact car for export to the United States of America, Canada and Puerto Rico.

The model produced is the conventional gas Yaris and annual export volume will be around 25,000 units on a full-year basis. An additional EUR 10 million has been invested by TMMF to build the Yaris to the specific requirements of the new export market.

From the small Northern French town of Onnaing, near Valenciennes, TMMF will now export its vehicles to more than 40 countries, including destinations like South Africa, Egypt, Canada and the United States of America.

“Building on more than 10 years of experience in high quality car production, this Yaris is another endorsement of TMMF’s excellence in manufacturing,” said Makoto Sano, president of TMMF. “We are proud to be recognized as a true player in the Toyota organization and welcome this new business opportunity to further strengthen TMMF’s position as an important exporter in France.”

Speaking at the ceremony, Toyota Motor Europe president and CEO Didier Leroy said: “The additional export market is yet another evidence of the success enjoyed by Toyota’s manufacturing operations in France.” He added: “There are many reasons to preserve production of compact cars in France but all partners need to work together to maintain TMMF’s competitive advantage. In Valenciennes, highly skilled and quality-minded employees that can handle complex production processes, and the proximity of good logistics and supplier networks are also major key success factors.”

“With Quebec accounting for 65 per cent of Yaris’ Canadian sales, a warm welcome will be assured for this ‘Made-in-France’ vehicle,” said Seiji Ichii, president and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc.