Toyota Boosts GR Output

Turbocharged Toyota Thrills

The Toyota GR Corolla, with a price tag of $39,995, delivers an extraordinary driving experience for those searching for a road-legal car that’s reminiscent of a rally racer. Comparing the GR Corolla to a standard five-door hatchback doesn’t do it justice. Toyota’s Gazoo Racing division crammed an impressive array of performance upgrades into this exciting package. Under the hood, there’s a spirited turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine that packs 300 horsepower. With all-wheel drive, tuned suspension, and a reinforced chassis, this car offers pure driving pleasure.

Demand Surge

The demand for the GR Corolla in the U.S. has been so robust that Toyota is revisiting its production strategy. Reports indicate that Toyota is shifting some GR Corolla production from Japan to the U.K. to better cater to North American buyers. The dedicated assembly line at Toyota’s Motomachi plant in Japan can’t keep pace with the demand from enthusiasts. To cut the lengthy delivery times, Toyota plans to invest around $56 million in its plant in Burnaston, Derbyshire, using cutting-edge production techniques to churn out vehicles quickly.

Toyota plans to begin operations in the U.K. in 2026, with the goal of producing 10,000 vehicles annually for export to North America. The Burnaston plant, which has been operational since 1992, already produces the base Corolla hatchback model that the GR Corolla is based on.

However, producing the GR models involves more than just assembly lines alone. Toyota is dispatching engineers to Derbyshire to impart the specialized skills required to produce these high-performance vehicles, which demand exceptional attention to detail.

Strategic Moves

The decision to shift some production to the U.K. isn’t just about meeting demand—a recent trade agreement has also made it financially strategic. With the Trump administration agreeing to lower tariffs on U.K. vehicle imports to the U.S. from 27.5% to 10% for the first 100,000 units, the cost savings could be significant for Toyota. The GR Corolla sells at a higher price point and offers better margins for Toyota, making the investment in boosting production capacity a wise choice.

Driving Exhilaration

The GR Corolla isn’t just captivating on paper; it delivers excitement on the road, especially with its manual transmission that gets enthusiasts’ hearts racing. Even against storied competitors like the Honda Civic Type R, the GR Corolla’s dynamic performance stands out. Those curious about the automatic version will still find it delightfully engaging. However, with this production shift, keeping an eye on any changes in build quality will be essential for fans. After all, ensuring the same standards as the Motomachi-produced models is critical for maintaining the GR’s reputation for top-tier performance.