Toyota invests 680 million euros in Czech electric vehicle production

In a significant development for the automotive industry in Europe, Japanese carmaker Toyota announced it will invest 680 million euros ($792 million) in a new production line at its plant located in Kolin, Czech Republic. This major investment is aimed at enhancing the company's capabilities to produce battery electric vehicles, marking a pivotal transition for Toyota towards greener technologies. The announcement took place on a Wednesday in early September 2025, and it comes as part of efforts to expand market offerings in response to the growing demand for electric cars across Europe. This initiative holds substantial implications for the local economy, as it will lead to the creation of an additional 245 jobs at the already sizable facility, which currently employs 3,200 people. The Czech government has also played a role in this development, providing a government incentive of up to 64 million euros ($75 million) to support the expansion, highlighting the importance they place on fostering investment in sustainable transport solutions. The Toyota plant in Kolin is notable, as it will become the first facility in Europe equipped to manufacture battery electric vehicles for the company. Currently, the factory produces the Aygo X and Yaris Hybrid models, and it is a key site contributing to the company's overall production capacity, which exceeded 225,000 vehicles last year. However, specifics regarding the timeline for the start of production for the new electric vehicle model have not yet been disclosed by Toyota, leaving stakeholders eager for further announcements. This move is indicative of the auto industry's shift towards electric vehicles and reflects broader trends in European markets where environmentally friendly and sustainable automobile practices are becoming increasingly critical.