Toyota Motor Europe has announced that it is investing £240 million to upgrade its car plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire. Toyota’s investment will improve plant competitiveness and additionally it will promote UK supply chain efficiencies.

Toyota’s significant strategic investment will be backed by up to £21.3 million of government investment, subject to independent assessment and due diligence, to support skills and training, research and development and innovation.

As part of the upgrade, Toyota will be installing its latest production platform, known as Toyota New Global Architecture (TNGA), with advanced equipment, technology and systems that will enable the plant to produce TNGA vehicles.

The manufacturing site at Burnaston is the latest facility to benefit from a global programme that will see the majority of Toyota’s models using these latest platforms by 2020.

Business and Energy Secretary Greg Clark said: "Our automotive sector is one of the most productive in the world and Toyota’s decision to invest £240 million upgrading its Burnaston plant is a further boost to the UK auto sector. I also welcome the prospect of investment to take Toyota New Global Architecture into the supply chain.

"Toyota is one of the world’s largest car producers and this inward investment underlines the company’s faith in its employees and will help ensure the plant is well positioned for future Toyota models to be made in the UK.

"As we prepare to leave the EU, this government is committed through our Industrial Strategy to ensuring the UK remains one of the best places in the world to do business and we are able to help businesses seize on economic opportunities."

The UK automotive sector continues to perform exceptionally well and has helped ensure the UK remains the location of choice for inward investment. 2016 was another record year for car production which saw a 17-year high, with 80% of the cars produced being exported to over 160 countries globally.

Since 2010 the government has invested over £400 million across the automotive sector and is committing, with industry, over £1.25 billion to 2025 to 2026 for automotive research and development.