Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has announced a major investment in the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) plant in Kolín. Production of a new battery electric vehicle and the assembly of battery systems will start here in 2025. The project includes the expansion of the site from 152,032 m² to 173,202 m², the construction of a new paint and welding shop and the introduction of a modern production line.

The total investment will reach EUR 680 million, with the Czech government providing an incentive of up to EUR 64 million. The significant move is part of Toyota's strategy to become carbon neutral in Europe by 2040.

Premiér Petr Fiala zdůraznil: "I am very glad that the Czech Republic has managed to attract such a major foreign investor as Toyota, even though other countries have also sought this investment in the production of electric cars. (...) The automotive industry accounts for approximately 10 % of our GDP, and if we want to maintain it, we must systematically modernize it. (...) In this particular case, 245 new positions will be created in the region."

"This great success for the Czech Republic, i.e. that Toyota will start to produce not only electric cars in Kolín, but also complete battery systems for the entire European market, is the result of a series of negotiations that my team and I worked on in Japan and Europe. (...) The government has supported this total investment of CZK 17 billion with CZK 1.6 billion, while the benefit for the state is calculated at around CZK 6 billion," said the Minister of Industry and Trade Lukáš Vlček.

"The launch of battery electric vehicles demonstrates the commitment of our employees and confirms the vision we share with the Czech government to further advance sustainable mobility and innovation," added the president of TME Jošihiro Nakata.

"Toyota's transition from internal combustion engines to the production of electric vehicles in the Czech Republic represents a significant milestone. It is not just about modernising production, but about accelerating the technological transformation of the entire automotive sector in our country," added the Director General of CzechInvest Jan Michal.

Today, Toyota produces the Aygo X and Yaris Hybrid in Cologne with an annual capacity of 220,000 vehicles. From November 2025, the Aygo X will only be produced as a hybrid. The new electric vehicle will thus expand the range and increase the plant's capacity. The majority of parts will be sourced from Czech suppliers, strengthening the entire domestic supply chain.

TMMCZ has a history of over 20 years and has produced over 4.5 million vehicles since its inception. In 2021, Toyota took over the entire plant and today employs around 3,200 people. In addition, there is a European logistics centre in Cologne Toyota Mega Hub, which will supply six Central European markets from 2024.

The new investment not only strengthens the Czech Republic's position on the map of the European automotive industry, but also confirms its importance in the era of electromobility and clean transport.

Vláda/gnews.cz - GH