Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announces that its production subsidiary in France, Toyota Motor Manufacturing France S.A.S. (TMMF), held a ceremony today in Valenciennes on TMMF grounds to mark the start of “Yaris” subcompact production on May 6 for export to the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico. The exports, at a volume of 25,000 units a year, will mark the first time Toyota vehicles produced in Europe will be exported to North America. The development represents an additional investment of 10 million euros by TMMF.
The ceremony was attended by TMMF President Makoto Sano and Didier Leroy, president and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA, TMC’s regional headquarters in Europe. At the ceremony, Leroy said: “This additional export market is yet more evidence of the competitiveness of Toyota in France.”
The current, third-generation Yaris was launched in Europe in the summer of 2011, followed by the Yaris Hybrid in June 2012. At present, Yaris vehicles produced by TMMF are sold in more than 40 countries worldwide in Europe, Africa, Oceania and Latin America. Toyota will continue to aim for a globally optimized production and supply structure that accurately meets consumer needs in a timely manner.
Overview of Toyota Motor Manufacturing France S.A.S.
Location Valenciennes, France
President Makoto Sano
Establishment October 1998
Start of production January 2001
Products Yaris, Yaris Hybrid
Employees Approx. 3,500
