Historically less in a position of strength on the European market than in the United States or many other important countries around the world, Toyota now acts as a giant also on the Old Continent and establishes itself as the second brand behind the untouchable. Volkswagen. A remarkable development when we remember that the Japanese manufacturer remained far behind Renault, PSA or Ford 20 years ago.
This European success owes a lot to the production ensured by the Toyota factory in Onnaing near Valenciennes, which assembles the Yaris and Yaris Cross including literally adore customers from the Old Continent. In the last month of October 2024, moreover, this Yaris Cross occupied fifth place in best sales ahead of the Golf and just behind the T-Cross.
Five million French Toyotas and two models in the top 10
The Japanese manufacturer has also just announced that the Onnaing factory has symbolically exceeded the milestone of five million cars produced since it began operating in 2001. In 2023, the Yaris Cross was downright the most manufactured car in France ahead of all the Renaults, Peugeots and other Citroëns.
This year, this Yaris Cross currently occupies ninth place in the automobile market just behind the Yaris city car. Only Peugeot and Renault have more cars in the top 10 (3) and the Yaris Cross manages to overshadow their urban crossovers even if they remain ahead. In short, there is indeed a love story between Toyota and France that Michel Holtz detailed a few days ago. A story proving that French brands, claiming to have had no choice in relocating their production outside the country for decades, could undoubtedly have succeeded in keeping more high-volume models in their local factories. Very good in terms of profitability (global margin of 11.3% in 2023, that of 2024 could be better), Toyota obviously does not manufacture its cars in France only to please our administration…
Local
France
