Previously produced only in Japan, the GR Corolla, the sporty version of the compact hatchback, is proving very popular in North America, which Toyota is struggling to satisfy. From mid-2026, the UK plant will produce around 10,000 units per year for the North American market, compared with 8,000 previously produced in Japan.
This strategic decision will enable Toyota to make better use of the British plant's capacity, which has been underutilized since Brexit, while shortening delivery times. Sources close to the matter say that this is not a direct response to the tariffs imposed by Donald Trump, but rather a logistical optimization.
Burnaston, which already assembles the standard Corolla on which the GR is based, is the natural choice. Japanese engineers will be sent temporarily to train local teams.
The GR Corolla is assembled on a dedicated line at the Motomachi plant in Japan, which is operating at full capacity. In 2024, it produced 25,000 vehicles in the GR range. Sold for around 6 million yen (approximately $55,000), twice as much as the standard version, it remains in high demand despite the rise of electrification.
Even after production starts in the UK, Motomachi will continue to serve the Japanese market and other destinations. Toyota's US plants, which are already operating at full capacity producing hybrids, are not affected by this transfer.
Toyota intends to absorb the additional costs associated with customs duties without passing them on to customers. It should be noted that the US applies a reduced import duty of 10% on British vehicles (up to 100,000 units), compared with 25% on those from Japan.
Toyota is continuing to optimize its production. Despite potential pressure on margins this year, the GR range remains a strategic pillar and, above all, a profitable one.
