The GR Corolla from America Will Be Manufactured in a Location Where You Cannot Purchase It | Carscoops

      Toyota is reportedly establishing a new production line for the GR Corolla in the UK.

      Currently, this hot hatch is manufactured solely at the Motomachi plant in Japan.

      Additional units produced in the UK will be exported to North America to satisfy demand.

      It appears that Toyota is preparing to alter the production of the GR Corolla, now looking to the UK. In what seems to be a response to significant demand, the automaker plans to begin manufacturing the hot hatch at its facility in Derbyshire, utilizing unused production capacity. The UK-made GR Corollas are expected to be sent directly to North America, aiming to reduce the lengthy wait times for this all-wheel-drive performance model.

      At present, all GR Corollas are produced on a dedicated line at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant in Yokohama. However, even though 8,000 units were manufactured in Japan last year, this still did not meet the demand. With the factory already operating at full capacity and Toyota’s North American facilities focused on hybrid vehicle production, the company seems to be exploring a more adaptable solution for this internal-combustion-only vehicle.

      According to Reuters, citing two sources familiar with the situation, Toyota is investing approximately ¥8 billion ($55.6 million) to establish a GR Corolla production line at its Burnaston plant in Derbyshire. The new line is anticipated to be operational by mid-2026, with an annual production target of 10,000 units, exclusively for North American consumers.

      The UK plant began operations in 1992, but production has waned since Brexit. Since the base-spec Corolla is already produced at these facilities, establishing a new line for the GR Corolla will be more straightforward for Toyota. Engineers from Japan will also travel to the UK to ensure a seamless transition. When approached by Reuters, the company refrained from confirming the report but indicated they are “always looking for ways to optimize production.”

      Utilizing Existing Infrastructure

      Meanwhile, the GR Corollas produced in Japan will continue to serve local customers and export markets like Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Africa. However, Europe and the UK are excluded due to emissions regulations that currently impede the model’s entry.

      Unnamed sources indicate that this decision is not linked to former President Donald Trump’s tariff policies. Earlier this month, the US government reduced tariffs on vehicles built in the UK to 10 percent for up to 100,000 units per year. In contrast, vehicles imported from Japan remain subject to a 25 percent tariff, although negotiations are ongoing to lower that rate. Regardless of the outcome, Toyota reportedly intends to absorb the costs and maintain its pricing for its models.

      Upcoming Updated Version

      Initially launched in 2022, the GR Corolla is the most powerful iteration of the hatchback, featuring rally-inspired design and a specially engineered chassis. Toyota previewed the updated 2026 model earlier this year, indicating improvements in aerodynamics, chassis adjustments, and an increase in torque. The vehicle continues to feature its turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine, delivering 300 horsepower (224 kW / 304 PS).