Please note: the details in this article were correct on the date of publication, but might now be superseded by newer information.
In our fourth and final instalment of blog articles revealing the bespoke, competition-derived engineering of the new GR Yaris, we examine its unique manufacturing.
Learn more: GR Yaris bodywork
Learn more: GR Yaris drivetrain
Learn more: GR Yaris development
GR Yaris manufacturing: the best builds the best
Toyota recognised from the start of the model’s development that the new GR Yaris was too specialised to be able to be built alongside the standard Yaris. In fact, it required an entirely bespoke low-volume sports car production system. Watch the video below for an understanding of the bespoke manufacturing measures introduced for this model.
The car is built exclusively at a new Toyota Gazoo Racing production facility created within the Motomachi plant in Japan. This is the most specialised manufacturing plant in Toyota’s worldwide repertoire, famously home to the iconic Lexus LFA supercar and the facility where the hydrogen fuel cell Mirai and flagship Lexus LC coupe are currently produced.
The new GR Factory has a pure white finish from floor to ceiling to create an environment that helps team members focus on their work. Everything has its rightful place, and the immaculate, all-white surroundings ensure that in the unlikely event an object is misplaced it will stand out.
The production line itself consists of a series of individual assembly cells, connected by automatic guided vehicles rather than the conveyor system featured in conventional car plants. This method of working is more flexible and accommodates many manual assembly techniques – some of which are unique to GR Yaris.
These assembly cells also enable precise body and suspension alignment, where variations in vehicle dimensions and weight kept to a minimum. Such a high degree of accuracy would be more challenging to achieve on a standard, high-volume production line but was essential in crafting the highly rigid body of the GR Yaris.
True to its commitment to people development, Toyota Gazoo Racing has brought together highly skilled technicians from throughout the company to produce the car. These specially selected team members are renowned for their exceptional abilities and attention to detail.
However, just as Toyota uses motorsport as a means to hone the skills of its workforce and the quality of its products, these technicians have also been tasked with sharing the craftsmanship and technical skills training provided by the GR Factory with workers at other Toyota facilities.
Learn more: GR Yaris bodywork
Learn more: GR Yaris drivetrain
Learn more: GR Yaris development
Please note: the details in this article were correct on the date of publication, but might now be superseded by newer information.
Love the new GR Yaris, please make more Toyota! I’m sure a lot of people would want one since this car is limited.
Hi Abay,
Thanks for getting in touch. It’s great to hear that you love the GR Yaris!
Toyota has always said that it would build a minimum of 25,000 vehicles to meet the FIA homologation requirement, but could continue if customer demand was strong enough.
Sales of the car in the UK have been immensely strong, and our existing allocation for 2021 has been sold. We are delighted by the popularity of the car amongst enthusiasts and are keen to ensure potential customers are not disappointed, so we have sought addition supply for the UK market. This should mean that we can continue to fulfil orders taken in the months ahead, with deliveries from that additional supply starting in 2022.
You can add your name to the waiting list either via online retail or with a centre. When cars allocated for 2022 are available to order, you will be notified.
Thanks.
I’ve got one in white with circuit pack. It’s simply fabulous.
Hi Steve,
Thank you for your kind words.
Any trips planned?
Thanks.
Toyota, the GR Yaris is an incredible thing having now driven it on two test drives, my name is still on the list for a 2023 slot but there is no news forthcoming. It is frustrating that there is no indication how long the list is and where I may be on the list and therefore how realistic this may be? Please take deposits off people waiting to sort out the genuine customers rather than people caught up in the hype trying to make ‘overs’ by flipping their cars. Some more information would be rather appreciated
Hi Diccon, thanks for your comment.
We are glad to hear you love the GR Yaris.
There is currently no further information on this. We understand your frustration and apologise for the inconvenience this may cause.
As soon as there are more details on this, we will communicate it to our customers. If you would like to discuss this further, please contact our Customer Relations Team here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us .
Thanks for your patience.
Dear Toyota,
You say in one of your above replies that you’re keen to ensure intending customers aren’t disappointed. I’ve been on the waitiing list for one year now and can only echo the sentiments expressed by Diccon above.
Hi Geoff, thanks for your comment.
We apologise for any dissapointment this situation has caused. When there is further information on this, we will communicate it to our customers.
Please contact our Customer Relations Team to discuss this further. You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
We appreciate your patience.
Thanks.
Had a GRYaris on order with Toyota Yeovil had a change of mind on colour told to cancel only option have been on the waiting list ever since near two years now
Hi Dean,
Thanks for getting in touch.
We currently don’t have any further news on more GR Yaris coming to the UK, sorry.
I went on the the Toyota waiting list via Toyota the web site sometime ago [ at least a couple of years ago ] and received a confirmatory Toyota email {unfortunately I have lost this due to a computer malfunction ].
Sine then I’ve heard nothing more but keep getting bulk issued standard sales emails.
I’ve since heard that customers who had already purchased via a Toyota dealer and made a fresh order via the same dealer [ more than likely after I went on the waiting list ] received offers of further vehicles from 2023 deliveries! These customers have then sold their original cars [ sometimes back to the dealer who are advertising them at above the original price ] sometimes at a profit.
Despite asking what the present position is regarding my position on the waiting list I’ve ‘hit a break wall’! with standard no information available replies.
Surely if there is a ‘genuine’ waiting list it should be possible to find a person’s name, when they went on the list and their place on the waiting list now.
This is hardly what one would expect of a reputable company.
Hi Andrew, thanks for your comment.
Unfortunately, we have no information on this. We understand the frustration this may cause and apologise for this situation.
We would recommend contacting our Customer Relations Team to further discuss this.
You can find them here: https://www.toyota.co.uk/help-centre#/iframe/https%3A%2F%2Fforms.toyota.co.uk%2Fcontact-us.
Thanks.
I placed a deposit with my local dealer for a GR Yaris back in Feburary 2022, but my dealer returned the deposit early this year, saying that there were no plans current to build further vehicles.
Yesterday I received an e-mail from Toyota regardingt the GR Yaris, which stated “only by creating a bespoke, low volume, sports car production facility from scratch, were we able to craft the perfectly-tuned driver’s car you’ll soon be able to call your own”.
Does this mean production is starting again and orders can now be placed ? If so what are the time scales and will there be any updates to the vehciles from the first production batch?
Thank you.
Hi John, thanks for your comment.
Please may you send a DM of this email to one of our Toyota social media accounts. We can be found under Toyota UK on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Thanks.
I tried to order the GR Yaris last year and had no response from my local Toyota dealership. When I finally got their attention I was told I was too late to order or go onto their waiting list. Apparently I’d just missed the deadline. Disappointing.
Hi Tim, thanks for reaching out.
We’re sorry to hear of your disappointment and apologise for any frustration.
Our Customer Relations team would be more than happy to support you further and can be contacted through the following link: https://fal.cn/3zLFg
Thanks.
Is the gr a complete new floor pan compared to the icon etc I’m guessing it has a tunnel for the propshaft
Hi Drew, thanks for your query.
To compare the different Toyota Yaris grade specifications it is best to look at the brochure for this model. This can be found here: https://fal.cn/3A0Fw
Hope this helps.
Thanks.
Hey there I put my order in April 2022 and heard nothing and just wondering if there any information regarding my order for my car , I have had no communication since and I just need to understand what happens not even a call from the dealer burrows Toyota Barnsley , the only thing I received is an automated text please advise
Hi Mark, thanks for getting in touch.
We would recommend calling the Toyota Centre you purchased your vehicle from. They are best placed to answer your queries and will have the most up-to-date information.
Thanks.