Toyota's sub-compact Yaris has been imported into Canada, from Japan, since 2007. But that situation is about to change.
The Yaris will still be sold here. But it will come from France, not Japan.
Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF) held a ceremony this week to mark the start of production of the Yaris for export to Canada, the U.S and Puerto Rico.
TMMF expects to export about 25,000 units per year to North America. The company invested 8-million to build the Yaris to the specific requirements of the North-American t market. It is the first-ever European-built Toyota model to be exported to North America.
With the addition of the North American market, the Yaris plant in the northern French town of Onnaing, near Valenciennes, will now export vehicles to more than 40 countries.
"With Quebec accounting for 65% of Yaris' Canadian sales, a warm welcome will be assured for this 'Made-in-France' vehicle," said Seiji Ichii, president and CEO of Toyota Canada Inc.