Toyota announced today that it will build its upcoming Auris Hybrid hatchback in Burnaston, Derbyshire, United Kingdom. The first European-built full hybrid from Toyota, the model will slot below the Prius in the automaker’s lineup. The Auris Hybrid is not expected to come to North America.
The C-segment Auris, which slots in just above the Yaris, is currently built at the same assembly plant, as well as a factory in Turkey and one in Japan. At least for now, only the U.K. assembly plant will built the hybrid variant.
The Auris’ hybrid powertrain is based off of the system used in the Prius, though power levels are expected to be down a little bit since the Auris is a smaller vehicle.
‘With today’s announcement, Toyota has taken a significant step forward in ensuring that full hybrids become more accessible to a wider range of customers. Such efforts are crucial if we are to see more low-carbon vehicles on European roads,’ said Tadashi Arashima, CEO and president of Toyota Motor Europe in a prepared statement.
