Inside Toyota’s UK production plant as it builds five MILLIONTH motor since first Carina E rolled off the line in 1992

I ALWAYS fancied myself as a graffiti artist back in the day.

Thanks to my mum, I didn’t do anything with it.

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But when Toyota told me they had chalked up FIVE MILLION British-built cars at Burnaston, near Derby, I knew how I’d like to mark it.

With a little memento on the end of the production line that says “fresh since 1992”.

Just call me Budget Banksy.

I will update it when they get to six million, if they haven’t whitewashed the wall by then.

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The first car built at Burnaston, in December 1992, was the Carina E.

A rock-solid family motor specifically designed and engineered for Europe, hence the “E”. It cost £12,145.

In a world largely dominated by Sierras and Cavaliers, Carina E won many customer satisfaction awards for its advanced petrol engines, superior build quality, reliability and cheaper running costs.

Much like Corolla today.

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Corolla is king at Burnaston now.

One is born here every 142 seconds — almost 400 a day, 7,000 a month.

Hatchback, estate and van.

All with efficient self-charging petrol hybrids produced at Toyota’s Deeside engine plant.

All with Toyota’s brilliant ten-year warranty.

If you want a car that does everything it’s meant to do really well, get a Corolla.

It won’t let you down.

Burnaston also produced big numbers of the Avensis and Auris over the years, but switched back to Corolla in 2019.

Park all five million British-built Toyotas end to end and they’d stretch from London to Tokyo and back.

'ENGINEERING EXPERTS'

And a bit farther.

Here’s another big number for you.

The Japanese firm spent £700million building Burnaston and has invested another £2billion in its UK operations since.

Toyota boss Dariusz Mikolajczak praised the 2,500 staff under his watch at Burnaston, plus the other 500 at Deeside.

He said: “This is a proud moment for everyone at TMUK.

"All our members, past and present, are a true credit to our business.

“The milestone of five million cars also reflects our contribution to the UK economy and our continued investment in making ever-better cars, embracing new technologies and new ways of working.”

Well said.

Toyota UK.

Experts in the art of engineering.

BRITISH-BUILT TOYOTAS

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• CARINA E 400,000
• AVENSIS 1.9m
• AURIS 1.3m
• COROLLA 1.4m

'I met my hubby at factory. Now our son works here'

MEET Mandy.

She’s been at Burnaston since day one.

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She met her husband Mark here.

Their two boys went to the on-site nursery here.

Now, Jack, the eldest, works here too.

Mandy said: “Little did I know, when I joined, the wealth of opportunities that would be open to me and that I would be here for the rest of my working life.

"When our first car, the Carina E, came through the curtains and smoke, many happy tears were shed.

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“That sense of pride continues today – from driving my Corolla to seeing new cars leave the production line each day, sending a little piece of Derbyshire all around the world.

“The pride in our organisation and our approach to quality remains as strong as ever.”