Toyota backs the Czech Republic: The Japanese automotive giant is investing hundreds of millions of euros in the production of a new battery electric car at its plant in Kolín. The decision secures the location in the long term and brings hundreds of new jobs to the region.
Japanese car manufacturer Toyota has decided to locate the production of a new fully electric vehicle (BEV) and the associated battery systems at its plant in Kolín, Czech Republic. This was announced by Prime Minister Petr Fiala and Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček together with Yoshihiro Nakata, President of Toyota Motor Europe (TME), at a press conference in Prague on Tuesday.
The decision involves a huge investment of around 680 million euros. The Czech government is contributing up to 64 million euros in investment support for the construction of the battery assembly plant.
Expansion for the electric future
In order to be able to produce the new electric car and its batteries, the Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) plant will be extensively expanded. The factory area will grow from over 152,000 to more than 173,000 square metres. Among other things, a completely new paint shop and welding shop are planned. Production of the new model is expected to start in 2026.
This is a major success for the Czech Republic in the fierce international competition for future investments. ‘We have prevailed against competition from other European and Asian countries,’ Prime Minister Fiala proudly emphasised.
For Toyota, the decision underscores the group’s ‘multimodal approach’ on the road to climate neutrality in Europe by 2040. The company is not relying on just one drive technology, but is focusing on hybrid, battery and hydrogen models in parallel. ‘This demonstrates the determination of our employees and confirms our shared vision with the Czech government to promote sustainable mobility and innovation,’ said TME CEO Yoshihiro Nakata. The plant will thus become an even more important pillar in the European production network.
New jobs and upgrading of the location
The investment will create around 245 new highly skilled jobs in the region. The plant in Kolín, where the Aygo X and Yaris Hybrid models are currently rolling off the production line, already employs around 3,200 people and is one of the largest employers in Central Bohemia.
The plant has a tradition dating back more than 20 years and has already produced more than 4.5 million vehicles. Since 2024, it has also been home to the first European ‘mega hub’ for logistics, supplying six Central and Eastern European markets.
