Wedoany.com Report-May 27, Toyota is relocating some production of its GR Corolla sports car from Japan to its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire, Britain, investing approximately 8 billion yen ($56 million) to establish a dedicated production line. This line will produce 10,000 vehicles annually for export to North America starting mid-2026, according to two sources familiar with the matter who spoke anonymously. The move aims to utilize spare capacity at Burnaston to reduce delivery wait times for the GR Corolla in North America, where demand from performance car enthusiasts has outpaced supply.

The Burnaston plant, operational since 1992, already manufactures the Corolla hatchback, the base model for the GR Corolla, making it a suitable choice for this expansion. The facility has experienced reduced output since Brexit, and this initiative will help optimize its capacity. Toyota plans to send engineers from Japan to share production expertise and ensure quality standards are met. The company stated it continually seeks ways to enhance production efficiency but noted that this specific plan has not been publicly announced.

The GR Corolla, part of Toyota’s high-performance GR series, is currently produced at the Motomachi plant in Toyota City, Japan, which operates at full capacity with 25,000 vehicles produced last year, including 8,000 GR Corollas. The GR series, reflecting Chairman Akio Toyoda’s passion for motorsports, incorporates racing technology and involves labor-intensive manual processes, resulting in higher production costs and delivery times of several months. Priced at around 6 million yen, the GR Corolla is double the cost of the standard model, offering higher profit margins despite lower sales volumes.

The decision to shift production is driven by the need to meet North American demand, as U.S. plants are focused on high-demand hybrids and other vehicles. The sources clarified that the move is not a response to U.S. tariffs on auto imports, which were recently reduced to 10% for up to 100,000 vehicles annually from Britain. Toyota plans to manage any tariff-related costs through efficiency measures, avoiding price increases for consumers. After the production shift, the Motomachi plant will continue to produce GR Corollas for Japan and other markets.

This strategic relocation underscores Toyota’s commitment to meeting global demand for its high-performance vehicles while optimizing its manufacturing network. The GR Corolla’s appeal to enthusiasts ensures its role in Toyota’s lineup, supporting brand value through motorsport-inspired innovation.