Toyota to produce BEVs in Europe: 245 jobs in the Czech Republic

as the production core of its first battery-electric car built in Europe. The announcement, made during an official ceremony at the Government Office in Prague, was attended by Prime Minister Petr Fiala, Industry Minister Lukáš Vlček, and Yoshihiro Nakata, president of Toyota Motor Europe.

It's a project worth a total of €680 million that will transform the Kolín plant and the entire industrial future of the country. The Toyota Motor Manufacturing Czech Republic (TMMCZ) factory, currently producing the Aygo X and Yaris Hybrid, will undergo significant expansion: its floor space will increase from 152,000 to 173,000 square meters, including new areas dedicated to painting, welding, and, most importantly, battery assembly. This is a key step in a journey that, for Toyota, means accelerating its goal of carbon neutrality in Europe by 2040.

Prime Minister Petr Fiala emphasized that the arrival of such a massive investment was far from a given: "Other countries were also in the running to host this project, but the Czech Republic has been able to guarantee stability and expertise. The automotive industry accounts for 10% of our GDP: to remain competitive, we must modernize and look ahead. Toyota will create 245 new skilled jobs and open up long-term prospects for the entire sector." The strategic importance of the project was also confirmed by Lukáš Vlček, Minister of Industry and Trade, who noted that the government has committed €64 million in public funding. "The estimated return for the state," he explained, "will be around €250 million, but the greatest benefit is the Czech Republic's integration into the global electric mobility chain. This investment makes us an active participant in the transition to a higher value-added economy."

For his part, Yoshihiro Nakata reiterated the role of the partnership between institutions and industry: "The new BEV production is evidence of a shared vision. Our employees and local communities are at the heart of the project. With Kolín, we are strengthening Toyota's European presence and contributing to a more efficient and sustainable future." The Czech production site, already one of the largest employers in Central Bohemia with over 3,200 employees, thus becomes the European hub of Toyota's multi-pathway strategy, which combines electric, hybrid, plug-in hybrid, and hydrogen-powered vehicles. The decision to produce a BEV in Kolín is not only an industrial move, but also a logistical one: the mega hub opened in 2024 at the same site already serves key markets such as Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovakia, and Hungary.

The scale of the investment is part of a long history of relations between Toyota and the Czech Republic . Since 2002, the factory has produced over 4.5 million vehicles, initially as a joint venture and since 2021 under full Japanese ownership. Over €1.3 billion has been invested in developing local operations. With the new electric project, this bond becomes even stronger, reinforcing the centrality of Prague and Kolín in the European automotive industry. For Toyota, which has built much of its fortune on hybrids over the years, this represents a turning point. Competition is pushing electric vehicles, and the Japanese manufacturer has no intention of being left behind: nine new battery-powered models will be launched by 2026, between Toyota and Lexus.

Europe's first electric car, produced in Kolín, will therefore be not only a symbol of innovation but also a crucial testbed for the brand's global strategy. The future of the automotive industry in Europe also begins here: in a factory in the heart of Bohemia, where Toyota's decision becomes an opportunity for development, modernization, and jobs. Because electric mobility is no longer just an industrial goal, but a lever for competitiveness for entire countries.