Toyota is so confident in this hybrid car that it plans to increase production in Europe and will manufacture one per minute.
16/09/2026 14:30
Updated to
16/09/2026 14:30
The electrification strategy in the automotive sector is advancing at different speeds and with various approaches. While some manufacturers have focused most of their investments on a direct transition to 100% electric vehicles, others adopt an approach better aligned with the actual needs of drivers. Toyota is the clearest example of this second path: by continuing to invest in hybrid technology, it continues to achieve record-breaking results in major European markets.
The success of this approach is directly reflected in the company’s industrial activity on the continent. The high demand for its electric models has led the Japanese manufacturer to decide to increase the production capacity of its main assembly plant in Europe to meet the order volume for one of its most popular vehicles.
Commercial success of the Toyota Yaris Cross in the European market
The Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) plant, located in the town of Onnaing near Valenciennes, has established itself as one of France’s most active automobile manufacturing centers. The key product of this industrial complex is the Toyota Yaris Cross, a B-segment urban SUV that has become one of the best-selling vehicles on the continent thanks to its hybrid propulsion system and low energy consumption.
In its most recent full year of operation, the French facility set a record for production, assembling 283,465 units. Of this total output, three out of four vehicles were the Yaris Cross, with the remainder being regular 5-door Toyota Yaris models.
The market response to the updated version of this compact SUV has exceeded the brand’s initial expectations. To avoid longer waiting times for customers, management has decided to adjust its operational processes and strengthen the workforce by hiring around 150 temporary workers, ensuring a high production pace capable of meeting demand in the European Union.
Increased industrial capacity at the Onnaing plant
The adjustment to the assembly line represents a significant increase in the daily output of the French plant. Production capacity will rise from 1,120 units per day to 1,250 vehicles. This increase means a manufacturing rate of one finished car every 58 seconds, which is equivalent to producing more than one new car per minute continuously.
Toyota’s flexible global TNGA-B platform enables such precise industrial scale-ups. The assembly of the hybrid system, consisting of a 1.5-liter three-cylinder gasoline engine along with an electric motor powered by a lithium-ion battery, is integrated into the plant’s automated processes.
This increased pace is also driven by the brand’s positioning around efficient mobility. Today’s consumers value factors such as price, range on long trips, and public charging infrastructure, and Toyota aims to continue offering a balance that meets the needs of daily use in various environments.