- Toyota will build the GR Corolla in the UK starting in 2026, in response to high demand.
- The ICE-powered hot hatch is currently built exclusively at the Motomachi plant in Japan.
- The UK-made units will be reportedly exported to North America, cutting delivery times.
Update: Following our initial report, Toyota has officially confirmed the expansion of GR Corolla production to the UK.
Toyota is gearing up for a shift in GR Corolla production, and this time, it’s looking toward the UK. In a response to high demand for GR products that “has consistently outstripped supply”, the automaker will start building the hot hatch at its Derbyshire facility from 2026. This is the first time that a Toyota GR product will be built outside Japan.
Currently, every GR Corolla rolls off a dedicated line at Toyota’s Motomachi Plant in Yokohama. But despite 8,000 units coming out of Japan last year, the output still fell short of demand. With the factory already maxed out, and Toyota’s North American plants focused on hybrid production, the company is turning to a more flexible option for this internal-combustion-only model.
More: See The Two Final GR Supras Europe Is Getting
According to Toyota, the selection of the UK facilities as a new production location for a GR vehicle reflects its efforts to “optimize its global production footprint to produce and deliver vehicles to customers as swiftly as possible”. They also mention the manufacturing capability and motorsport expertise of its UK division.
Yoshihiro Nakata, President & CEO Toyota Motor Europe, said: “We are proud that TMUK, our first plant in Europe, has also been selected as the first overseas Toyota plant to produce GR vehicles in securing this expansion project for TGR worldwide. We really appreciate the historical support and recognition of the United Kingdom and would like to continue to contribute to UK society as a ‘Best In Town’ company”.
The UK plant was inaugurated in 1992, but production declined since Brexit. With the base-spec Corolla already being produced at the same facilities, it will be easier for Toyota to build a new line for the GR Corolla. Preparations for the new production line have been underway since 2024, with the first units expected to come out of the UK facilities in 2026.
More: GR Built The Corolla Cross You Wanted But Decided You Don’t Deserve It
Toyota will share details about the markets of sale, volumes, and investment levels at a later date. However, citing insider sources, Reuters reports that the company is investing ¥8 billion ($55.6 million), with a targeted annual output of 10,000 units. These will reportedly head straight to North America, aiming to cut down the long wait times for the all-wheel-drive performance model.
Unnamed sources say Toyota’s decision isn’t tied to former President Donald Trump’s tariff policy. Earlier this month, the US government lowered tariffs on UK-built vehicles to 10 percent for up to 100,000 units per year. In contrast, cars imported from Japan are still subject to a 25 percent tariff, though negotiations are underway to reduce that rate. Regardless of the outcome, Toyota reportedly plans to absorb the costs and keep pricing unchanged for its models.
Meanwhile, Japanese-built GR Corollas will continue to serve local buyers and export markets like Australia, Brazil, Indonesia, Malaysia, New Zealand, and South Africa. The model was never available in Europe and the UK due to emission regulations. It remains to be seen if the new production location will change that.
Updated Version Coming Soon
First launched in 2022, the GR Corolla represents the most powerful version of the hatchback, featuring rally-inspired styling and a purpose-built chassis. Toyota teased the updated 2026 model earlier this year, suggesting improved aero, chassis tweaks, and a bump in torque. Under the hood, the car retains its turbocharged 1.6-liter three-cylinder engine, which produces 300 horsepower (224 kW / 304 PS).
