You're Welcome, Europe: The US Interest in the Toyota GR Corolla May Lead to Its Availability There.
Nico DeMattia
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Dear Europe: You’re welcome. After years of importing your top performance vehicles, we’re finally reciprocating from across the pond—albeit indirectly. Although Toyota doesn’t manufacture the GR Corolla in North America, the overwhelming demand from our side has led the company to add an extra production line in the U.K., mainly for American export, to support the hot hatches produced at the Motomachi plant in Japan. Initially, it seemed that these U.K.-assembled cars wouldn’t be available for local sale, which would have been a significant oversight. However, a Toyota executive has suggested that may not be the case.
"We have a philosophy that you build where you sell, so to produce in Europe and not sell in Europe would be contrary to that," Toyota Europe COO Matt Harrison told Auto Express last week. "The gap between supply and demand exists now, so it’s about how quickly we can address it. We must act swiftly."
That’s about as significant a confirmation as one can expect from someone with a “C” in their job title, without it sounding like a guaranteed fact. It’s also the first occasion Toyota has formally expressed its interest in introducing the hot hatch to the continent, where, to be fair, rallying is given the recognition it deserves. The Celica GT-Four and Corolla WRC are the reason behind the existence of the GR Yaris, and the GR Corolla was created because Toyota didn't want those of us without a Yaris option to be left out entirely.
The interior of a 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. Nico DeMattia
The GR Yaris is undeniably impressive, but it is also quite small. I’ll admit that I felt disappointed when I first learned Toyota intended to sell a GR version of the Corolla in the U.S. Naturally, America receives the larger, heavier variant of the car that lacks a direct connection to a WRC competitor. However, I’ve come to appreciate my GR Corolla after owning it for about a year and a half; I’m not sure how I would have managed with the Yaris anyway. The GR Corolla has a somewhat tight interior already, so I can only imagine the challenges Yaris owners face during grocery runs. Nonetheless, it’s still a blast to drive.
We’ve reached out to Toyota Europe representatives for further clarification on Harrison’s statement and will update this story with any information we receive. In the meantime, Europe, I hope you enjoy the hot hatch that seems to be heading your way. I believe you will.
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You're Welcome, Europe: The US Interest in the Toyota GR Corolla May Lead to Its Availability There.
Toyota's introduction of a production line in the U.K. to cater to the American demand for the GR Corolla may have finally made this hot hatch available to European customers.