The first European-made hybrid vehicle rolled of the production line at Toyota's UK factory.
Hybrid Toyota Auris Image: Toyota |
The Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive is the first combined petrol and electric-powered vehicle to be built in Europe and was launched with much political fanfare at Toyota's giant plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. With the petrol engines being manufactured in North Wales, the entire global production of the Auris model will be produced in the UK.
The exclusive production is a coup for the 20 year-old plant at a time when UK car manufacture has, like the rest of Europe, suffered from the economic climate.
However, it is hoped that production quality will be higher than that of the 270,000 Lexus vehicles that are subject to a global recall. The problem apparently relates to valve springs for the cylinders which may cause the engine to cut out while the vehicle is being driven.
The latest problem follows Toyota's high-profile, multi-million vehicle recall to its Prius models over a brake problem earlier this year.