On a day which coincided with a visit by Business Secretary Peter Mandelson to Toyota’s Derbyshire plant, the announcement was made which sees Toyota and the East Midlands scoring a European first in the mass-production of hybrid cars.

The Japanese car-maker confirmed that a petrol/electric version of its popular Auris model, seen as vital to the company’s future, would be produced at the Derbyshire factory from the middle of next year.

It means that Burnaston will be Toyota’s Europen centre for the new technology and the first UK factory to produce hybrid models.

Tadashi Arashima, chief executive and president of Toyota Manufacturing Europe, said: “Our decision to produce a full hybrid in the UK reflects both our confidence in the quality and commitment of the workforce and the strength of our long-standing partnership with the UK Government.”

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