Toyota has started the production of its new C-HR crossover model in their Sakarya plant in Turkey.

The Turkish plant adds the new Toyota C-HR next to the Corolla and Verso models which are produced on the same line. The new crossover is also the first hybrid model to be built in the country.

“The Toyota C-HR is a hugely important product for the whole of Toyota, not just for Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey. The crossover segment is growing fast. This car is Toyota’s very strong entry to this segment,” said Dr Van Zyl, Toyota Motor Europe (TME) President and CEO, during the line-off ceremony at the factory.

The new C-HR is also the first Toyota based on the company’s new global architecture (TNGA) to be manufactured outside Japan. “TNGA is our new philosophy of vehicle creation and part of our initiatives for building ever-better cars. Toyota will gradually expand the production of vehicles based on TNGA,” added Moritaka Yoshida, President of the Mid-size Vehicle Company within Toyota Motor Corporation.

Toyota’s plant in Turkey already exports around 80 percent of its production to Europe and is planning to gradually expand its export destinations outside Europe to include the USA, Canada, Taiwan, Mauritius and South Africa. Total production capacity has been increased from 150,000 to 280,000 vehicles per year.

“It is a great privilege for us to export to North America, because it is Toyota’s biggest market and our customers there expect a lot from Toyota in terms of quality, customer satisfaction, and connection to the brand,” said Dr van Zyl. “TMMT has been one of our best plants globally for many years when it comes to build quality, and I am very confident our members there will exceed our North American customers’ expectations,” he added.

The new Toyota C-HR will be offered with either a turbocharged 114hp 1.2-litre petrol engine or a hybrid 120hp petrol-electric powertrain. Selected markets will also get the option of a 142hp 2.0-litre petrol unit, mated exclusively to a CVT automatic transmission.

The North American model will debut at the upcoming LA Auto Show while order books in Europe have already been opened ahead of the C-HR’s official launch there.

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