First Minister Carwyn Jones has today welcomed an announcement by car manufacturer Toyota which will see yet further investment by the company in North East Wales.
The First Minister joined Dr Vince Cable MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills at a special ceremony at Toyota’s plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire to see the start of production on the new Auris Hybrid Synergy Drive. The engines of this vehicle will be produced at the company’s factory on Deeside.
The Auris Hybrid is the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle to be built in Europe.
Welcoming the launch of this new vehicle whose engines will be produced in North East Wales, the First Minister said:
“I am delighted to welcome this latest investment by Toyota, which clearly demonstrates the company’s ongoing commitment to Wales.
“I am particularly proud that the first hybrid engine to be built outside Japan will be built in Wales – demonstrating once again that we are able to develop and take advantage of emerging and green technologies – particularly in the automotive sector.
“The plant, which employs over 500 people, is a very important part of the Welsh economy, and this latest investment speaks volumes for the quality and flexibility of the management and workforce at Deeside.”
