Toyota Announces Major Boost for Britain's Car Industry

In a surprise move, Toyota has decided to shift some of its production from Japan to its Midland plant in the UK, creating 300 new jobs and increasing the plant's output by nearly a third to about 220,000 cars a year. This decision is part of Toyota's "survival plan" to fully utilize the production capacity of its modern British complex, despite expecting to lose £50 million in its UK operations this financial year.

Key Takeaways:

Toyota is shifting some of its production from Japan to its Midland plant in the UK, creating 300 new jobs and increasing the plant's output by nearly a third to about 220,000 cars a year.
The decision is part of Toyota's "survival plan" to fully utilize the production capacity of its modern British complex.
The new production line will be based at the Burnaston factory near Derby, with an additional 250 production jobs to be added, and 50 more jobs at the engine plant on Deeside in North Wales.
The announcement comes despite Toyota's expected losses of £50 million in its UK operations this financial year.
Unions, including the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, praised the move, saying it shows Britain is still worth investing in.
Duncan Simpson, Midland-based chief car industry spokesman for the Amalgamated Engineering and Electrical Union, stated: "At a time when the industry is going through possibly its worst phase in its history, this is obviously a breath of fresh air."

Statistics:

The new production line will increase the plant's output by nearly a third to about 220,000 cars a year.
300 new jobs will be created in the UK as a result of the new production line.
An additional 250 production jobs will be added at the Burnaston factory, with 50 more jobs created at the engine plant on Deeside in North Wales.
Toyota expects to lose £50 million in its UK operations this financial year.

Sources:

"Toyota gives Britain's car industry a major boost" by The Mail
Chris Morley, Industrial Correspondent