In view of the loss of jobs at UK Peugeot and Vauxhall plants, Backroomers might like to discuss the content of this timely press release:
NEW DTI MINISTER TO GET EXCLUSIVE NEW AVENSIS PREMIERE DURING PLANT
VISIT
The Rt. Hon Alistair Darling M.P., Secretary of State for Trade and
Industry, will receive an exclusive premiere of the new Toyota
Avensis during a visit to Toyota?s Derbyshire manufacturing plant on
Monday 15th May.
During a guided tour of the Burnaston plant, the Minister will meet
with workers involved in the preparation and production of the
model, which will be officially unveiled to the general public at
the Madrid Motor Show on 25th May, 2006.
Following his tour of the Avensis Assembly Shop, the Minister will
have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a new Avensis as
workers complete the final quality confirmation of the model
currently exported to over 70 countries across the world.
The Burnaston plant is the sole manufacturing plant for the new
Avensis which is the flagship model for Toyota in Europe. The
latest model will set higher standards in the upper-medium car
segment thanks to its refined driving pleasure and premium build
quality.
The model will feature a fully competitive diesel engine line up,
including the new, high tech 2.0-litre D-4D 130. The new engine will
offer an excellent combination of fuel economy and lively
performance.
The D-4D 130 is also a further development in the Toyota Clean Power
strategy to reduce harmful emissions thanks to the availability of a
diesel particulate filter.
Exterior and interior design changes to the Avensis will bring out a
more sporty character. At the same time, a number of detail changes
to the interior will enhance quality standards and driving pleasure.
MEDIA OPPORTUNITY: Members of the media have the opportunity to
witness the Minister complete quality confirmation activity and
reveal the new model. The Minister will also take questions from
the attending media during a short Q&A session.
All media must register their attendance in advance. To confirm
event timings and to confirm attendance please contact Steve Carter
or Karen Bradley at Toyota Manufacturing UK on 01332 283666
Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd.
Toyota Manufacturing UK currently employs just under 5,000 workers
at its vehicle manufacturing plant, Burnaston, Derbyshire and engine
manufacturing plant at Deeside, North Wales.
Avensis and Corolla models are produced at the Burnaston plant,
whilst engine plant produces 1.6/1.8/2.0L petrol engines for UK
built models and produces engine parts for export to Toyota plants
across the world.
Since production began in 1992, more than 2 millions cars and
engines have rolled off the production lines. 85% of vehicles
produced are exported, 75% of that figure are exported to mainland
Europe and 10% to Japan.
The company?s export achievements were honoured in 2005 with a
Queen?s Award for Enterprise in the category of International Trade.
From 2002 to 2004 Toyota Manufacturing UK almost doubled its
overseas export values to around £2 billion.
The company?s net contribution to the UK?s balance of payments is
typically more than £400 million a year.
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And why should he not visit? Nobody in their right mind would visit a dead horse. In this day and age, if a manufacturer such as Vauxhall and Peugeot have even voiced the possibility of plants or jobs to go, there is nothing that government can do about it. Government had enough practice with British Leyland to demonstrate why they should not run manufacturing.
Both Peugeot and GM have problems of their own making whereas Toyota and others have clearly demonstrated as to how it could be done!
The fact that Darling is getting a preview of a new version of the Avensis is in this case irrelevant. The car, IMHO, is not attractive to look at, at all.
The poor chap, but that is his job, will get collared about the other redundancies and will have to pay lip service. He won't be able to change anything. The people who will/may lose their jobs should get a life and move on rather than go on strike.
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The people who will/may lose their jobs should get a life and move on rather than go on strike.
I'm sure the reason they are going on stike is to maintain some media attention and perhaps embarrass PSA a little (I noted a recent ad for the Picasso - "Britain's favour MPV" apparently).
I'm sure they'll all move on and get new jobs. I hear B&Q in Balsall Heath are looking for two 'greeters' - plenty of jobs out there ('skill shortage' etc etc).
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The Picasso is the UK's best selling MPV - they are absolutely everywhere.
I've been round Toyota's plant (and those of Honda, Nissan and Peugeot amongst otherrs) and the Japanese plants in particular are models of excellent efficiency, cleanliness and apparent workers' satisfaction.
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What\'s for you won\'t pass you by
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Yes, I've been around plenty of plants in my time, inc. Japanese plants in Japan. I once had to use the toilets at Longbridge - seeing the state they were in helped develop my understanding of why the workforce there were so grumpy!
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