Toyota's Latest GR Factory Could Be the Most Exciting Car Manufacturing Location | Carscoops

      The dedicated facility in Japan produces the GR Yaris and GR Corolla.

      Toyota has released a video showcasing its newly updated GR Factory in Japan.

      Workers have access to a relaxation area and a racing simulator during their breaks.

      The plant has the appearance of a racing garage, emphasizing greater human involvement in the manufacturing process.

      Toyota's Gazoo Racing division focuses not only on creating cars that can handle corners and bring joy to drivers but also on producing them in an environment that resembles a racing team garage instead of a conventional factory.

      The GR Factory, situated in Toyota’s Motomachi facilities in Japan, underwent a significant renovation in early 2025. This location is far from a typical industrial setting, designed to give employees the opportunity to engage with high-performance vehicles daily.

      Toyota has provided a glimpse behind the scenes of the GR Factory through a video. Employees tasked with assembling the GR Yaris and GR Corolla wear custom uniforms and name hats, fostering a sense of belonging to the Gazoo Racing team. Their workspace includes a relaxation room and a racing simulator, ensuring a balance between work and enjoyment during breaks.

      In the relaxation area, the women’s locker rooms feature a designated space for employees to de-stress. If someone is feeling a bit off, they can relax in comfortable chairs with leg rests before returning to work on the high-performance vehicles. The area includes a bar-height table with stools, a television, and a kitchenette for snacks.

      For those seeking a thrill during breaks, Toyota offers a racing simulator equipped with a bucket seat, Fanatec steering wheel, pedals, and a large screen. Although it’s digital, it provides the excitement of the racetrack, assuming the car lineup is mostly Toyota models.

      The Toyota GR Factory has been operational since the launch of the GR Yaris in 2020 and now also produces the GR Corolla and GRMN Yaris rally vehicle. Unlike a standard factory, this one resembles a racing garage.

      Much of the work is performed by hand instead of relying heavily on robots, allowing for a more adaptable and tactile manufacturing process. This low-volume strategy permits increased accuracy and ensures that each vehicle receives the meticulous attention it deserves during production.

      Interestingly, the bodyshells are placed onto the engine, drivetrain, and suspension components rather than the reverse. Toyota explains that this technique minimizes any slight distortions to the body that might arise while fitting these heavy components, which supports a more accurate assembly.

      In terms of quality control, parts such as brake rotors and suspension springs are measured again to identify even the smallest variations. Each component adheres to a predetermined tolerance range, but Toyota takes extra steps to ensure that each vehicle is equipped with the ideal combination of parts for optimal performance.

      Once fully assembled, the car undergoes a thorough precision inspection and various driving tests to guarantee its quality. Thanks to this careful approach, Toyota states that the final products leaving the GR Factory are "ready to hit the circuit at full throttle."

      Since April, Toyota has been conducting tours for owners of the GR Yaris and GR Corolla, allowing them to witness the manufacturing process firsthand. In response to increasing demand, the company has announced plans for an additional GR Corolla production facility at its Derbyshire site in the UK, scheduled to open in 2026. This expansion aims to meet demand and may facilitate the introduction of the model in more markets.

      Meanwhile, the other sports cars in Toyota's lineup include the GR86, built by Subaru in Japan, and the GR Supra, produced by Magna Steyr in Austria.