2024-11-26 14:53:00
Big smiles and confetti! While the entire automotive industry is looking gloomy at the moment, the mood is rather good within the ranks of Toyota. As evidenced by this festive morning organized at the Onnaing factory to celebrate, as it should be, an anniversary to be marked with a white stone: the Japanese manufacturer has just assembled its five “millionth” vehicles.
“Absolute record”
« What’s special is how quickly we reached this figure. IThis is an absolute record in the entire European automotive industry », boasts Didier Leroy. The Northerner, who participated in the creation of the factory in 1998 and who is now number two in the group, took the opportunity to debunk the bad language of the time. “ Skeptics on the subject told us that producing in France was unrealistic, that we would never be competitive. »
Twenty-three years later, the Yaris is, in terms of volume, the first car manufactured in France and a commercial success throughout Europe. « Toyota’s approach with its subcontractors is remarkable, everyone works in partnership in a local ecosystem », greets Marc Ferracci, the Minister of Industry who visited the factory this Tuesday.
Good news never comes alone. The Japanese brand took advantage of the moment to make some announcements on the employment front. “ We will transform 600 CDD or temporary contracts into CDI », announces Rodolphe Delaunay, the current president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF). Onnaing has around 5,000 employees, including 3,850 on permanent contracts. By the end of December, around a hundred new permanent contracts will be signed. The rest will arrive gradually during 2025.
Towards an extension?
« The ambition is to ensure the next twenty years of TMMF, continues Rodolphe Delaunay. The goal is to perpetuate jobs in order to project ourselves into the future. » Could the future also involve an extension of the factory walls? We know that in Onnaing, the land reserve is available. Land on which the builder could get his hands if the need arises. “ Everything is possible, answers Didier Leroy. The site must have a truly beautiful, innovative project. If we can bring something different to Toyota World, capable of being further developed globally, confidence will only increase and we will explore possibilities for expansion. »
Factory executives specify that it is not a question of switching to electric. If, as planned by the European Union, the production of thermal engines ends in 2035then battery vehicles will be produced on current lines. It remains to find this innovative project. Speculation is open…
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