Toyota GR Corolla Set For UK Production in 2026 – First Outside Japan

Demand for the Toyota GR Corolla globally continue to outweigh supply, thus prompting Toyota to consider expanded production for which overseas.

With demand continuing to outstrip supply, the Toyota GR Corolla hot hatch is set to see its production expanded outside Japan soon. In fact, the Japanese automaking giant recently confirmed it will start producing the model in the UK starting next year (2026).

The move sees Toyota somewhat mirror steps previously undertaken by rivals Honda. As a refresher, the H-brand famously built several generations of its famed Civic Type R hot hatch, specifically the EP3, FN2, FK2, and FK8 generations, in the UK at its now closed Swindon plant.

Starting next year (2026), Toyota will begin producing the GR Corolla in the UK. This is set to reduce deliver and waiting times in key markets like North America.

Barring the outgoing GR Supra sports coupe that’s actually built by Magna Steyr in Austria, this will mark the first time Toyota builds its GR performance model outside Japan. This is poised to help quicken the model’s delivery times to key markets like North America.

Presently, GR Corolla buyers in the North America (United States, in particular) typically face long waiting lists and dealer mark-ups resulting from which, since the model’s first debut in 2022.

Latest 2025MY Toyota GR Corolla launched locally earlier this year produce by the 'GR Factory' in Motomachi.

Additionally, Toyota reportedly prepared for this move over the last several months, leading to the automaker’s decision in selecting its existing Toyota Manufacturing UK facility in Burnaston for this – said plant already builds the base Corolla hatch en-masse.

That, plus the automaker’s view of the UK’s “deep motorsport culture” aligning with its GR (Gazoo Racing) sub-brand, were key drivers in facility’s selection to expand and become the GR Corolla model’s first production base overseas outside Japan.

Additionally, UK-built GR Corolla bound for America could also skirt hefty tariffs.

Critically, given the UK’s negotiation with the American government for reduced 10% tariffs on cars imported from the former to the latter, Toyota could potentially pay a smaller fee on UK-built GR Corolla units shipped to the US versus Japan-built units.

Production and investment levels will be announced by the firm later, but sources online are reporting it will cost Toyota some £41 million (approx. RM235.51 million) to add the new GR Corolla line at Burnaston and grant an annual capacity of 10,000 units.

With the GR Corolla production expanded overseas, the 'GR Factory' in Motomachi could ramp up output for other models like the GR Yaris pictured.

For context, Toyota’s Motomachi plant in Japan, widely dubbed as the primary production facility for its GR models – hence its ‘GR Factory’ nickname – is already at full capacity. Last year, it built 25,000 cars, and roughly a third of which consists of the GR Corolla.

Besides a boosted output, the expansion of the GR Corolla model’s production overseas can also grant the aforementioned Motomachi plant additional flexibility to build other existing models like the GR Yaris, or perhaps create room to produce an entirely new model.