Czech Prime Minister Andrej Babiš has told Toyota that they can expect excellence in the country’s factory in Kolín, Hospodářské Noviny and hopes that the company will start production of its hydrogen-powered cars there.  Toyota is looking to increase its presence in the European mainland because of potential complications of Brexit.

Toyota already has a factory in Kolín, which is currently manufacturing around 330,000 of its Aygo city car each year.  In 2021, Toyota will take over the full ownership of this facility that it has previously shared with Peugeot and Citroen.
The Czech prime minister met with representatives from Toyota at this year’s Tokyo Motor Show, after which he told reporters that he had once again pushed Czechia is the best choice for Toyota's base in mainland Europe.    He is hopeful that the government can persuade Toyota to increase car production and investment and help improve the country's own hydrogen transport infrastructure.

Brexit is likely to assist the Czech government’s aims with increasing concerns as to how Brexit could impact exports into the rest of the EU. Toyota currently has 2 plants in the UK and experts agree that these concerns could mean that Toyota is due for a move and that the Czech Republic may well be the location of choice.

Other Japanese companies have also declared an interest in Kolin including Sanko Gosei, a specialist in plastic components for vehicles who purchased a property worth  CZK 27 million in the Ovčáry industrial zone
Toyota is a world leader in the use of alternative fuel technology.