Europe

Toyota Motor Europe (TME) will resume production at its two remaining manufacturing sites in the Czech Republic and the United Kingdom in the week commencing May 25, after restarting its other vehicle and component plants in France (Yaris), Poland (engines and transmissions), Turkey (C-HR and Corolla Sedan), the United Kingdom (Deeside engine plant) and Russia (Camry and RAV4) earlier in May and April.

After restarting TMUK engine plant in Deeside on May 13, Toyota’s UK vehicle plant located in Burnaston is to restart activities on May 26. Burnaston produces the Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports and production has been suspended since March 18. TMUK Burnaston will organise two induction days for its employees to familiarise themselves with their new working environment and the measures that have been taken to address social distancing requirements, the reduction of common touchpoints and increased hygiene measures.

TPCA, Toyota’s joint venture with PSA, is home to the production of the Toyota AYGO. The Czech plant, which had previously halted production since 19 March following the COVID-19 outbreak, plans to resume its manufacturing activities on May 25. After a full induction day intended to train the members on the correct implementation of the new practices, production at TPCA is scheduled to initially start for both shifts at reduced volume before the plant gradually ramps up the number of units produced to pre-suspension levels in view of meeting customer demand.

Ready to restart

During the feasibility study, several factors were assessed and carefully evaluated before making the decision to restart operations at TPCA and TMUK Burnaston. A key condition from the outset has been to ensure the safety of our employees, contractors and visitors. An extensive range of health and safety measures have been put in place to address the required levels of hygiene and social distancing, and reassure employees returning to work.

Recently, both national and regional governments across Europe have taken tentative steps to partially ease some of the strict lockdown measures that had been introduced in an attempt to contain the COVID-19 virus. In some European countries, these circumstances permit car retailer showrooms to reopen their businesses, allowing us to react to customer demand and the developing market conditions, step by step. Supplier and logistics readiness also had to be secured in advance of a possible restart.