Milestone of millions

A major milestone has been hit by Bondholder Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK), as its 4.5 millionth British-built car has come off the production line at its Derbyshire plant.

The Burnaston site is the European production centre for the Corolla Hatchback and Touring Sports models. It completes a car every 89 seconds – that equates to 3,000 vehicles a week and on average 150,000 a year. Of this total, almost 90 per cent are exported to overseas markets, principally in Europe.

The 4.5 millionth car to come off the production line was a 1.8-litre hybrid, left-hand drive Corolla hatchback, for a customer in Poland.

Jim Crosbie, managing director TMUK, said hitting the production milestone was further evidence that the Derbyshire plant was very much “back-to-business”.

He said: “Seeing our 4.5 millionth car come off the line gives everyone at TMUK a sense of pride in what we have achieved in almost 30 years of high-quality manufacturing.

“It also symbolises the great commitment and team spirit of all our members to overcome the challenges we have faced and secure our future as a competitive and highly efficient business.”