Toyota is to assemble a 100% electric vehicle on European soil for the first time. The Kolin plant, to the east of Prague, has been chosen as the production site. The announcement, made on Wednesday, marks a strategic turning point for the Japanese manufacturer. Details of the model and production schedule are still confidential.
A strategic site for Toyota in Europe
For the moment, the manufacturer is only revealing the financial aspects of the project. Total investment amounts to 680 million euros, including 64 million from the Czech government. The Kolin plant already produces the Aygo X and the Yaris hybrid, with an annual capacity of around 220,000 vehicles. The extension of the site, from 152,000 to 173,000 square metres, will make it possible to prepare for electricity production.
Support from the Czech government and economic issues
The Czech government is actively participating in the financing, particularly for the battery facility. The automotive industry accounts for around 10% of the country’s gross domestic product. Prime Minister Petr Fiala stresses that this project is essential to maintain automotive production in the Czech Republic. Toyota Europe also sees it as an opportunity to strengthen its market presence and move towards carbon neutrality by 2040.
A European electrical offensive
Having long adopted a cautious strategy when it comes to electric vehicles, Toyota is now planning nine non-thermal models for the continent between 2025 and 2026. The vehicle produced in Kolin could be the Urban Cruiser or the C-HR+, expected in late 2025 or early 2026. The brand is thus combining its expertise in hybrids with its new move towards 100% electric vehicles.
Kolin, a key site for the future
Wholly owned by Toyota since 2021, the Czech plant has already produced more than 4.5 million vehicles, including for Peugeot and Citroën. The expansion of the site is part of a wider European strategy, with eight other plants in Portugal, the UK, France, Poland and Turkey. This decision marks a historic change for Toyota and the European market. It also confirms the growing importance of electric vehicles in the Japanese manufacturer’s industrial strategy.
