Toyota to boost output at Derby plant by 30%

Toyota Motor Corp. will spend billions of yen to increase the output of its British factory in Derby by some 30 percent until it is making about 230,000 vehicles a year in 2001, company officials said Monday.

While Japanese automakers operating in Britain have been hit hard by the pound's appreciation, the officials said Toyota will transfer production of its export models from Japan to the British factory so it can reduce yen-appreciation risks and raise the operating rate of the British plant.

The British plant currently produces the Avensis and five-door Corollas at a combined rate of 180,000 units a year. But production of the three-door Corolla Hatchback will begin at an annual rate of 50,000 vehicles.