(Tue 08 Jun 10)

An Auris 1.33 Stop/Start which left the factory at Burnaston in Derbyshire yesterday was the three millionth Toyota to be built in the UK since production started here in December 1992.

The occasion was marked by the presence of South Derbyshire MP Heather Wheeler, along with 25 employees (of the four hundred who have worked at Burnaston throughout its history) who planted a commemorative tree.

"Reaching this milestone shows our commitment to local production here at Burnaston and at our engine plant in North Wales," says Toyota Managing Director Katsunori Kojima. "This is a fantastic achievement for us and we are delighted to celebrate this occasion with some of our loyal and committed members who were present at the start of production."

The first Toyota built at Burnaston - and indeed in Europe - was a Carina E. The one millionth car was created in April 2001, while the two millionth emerged in October 2005.

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