The start of production of the new Avensis at Toyota’s Burnaston factory brings some welcome good news for Britain’s manufacturing industry. And as the first cars come off the line, Toyota is announcing prices for the new car which match those for the current model, in spite of the extra equipment, new styling and improved performance on offer.

The introduction of the revised Avensis, which will reach showrooms early next year, reaffirms Toyota’s commitment to Burnaston and to UK manufacturing. Burnaston is Toyota’s largest production site in Europe and has benefited from £1.15 billion investment since it opened in 1992 and, as the centre for all Avensis production, has built three generations of the model since 1997.

Tony Walker, Toyota Manufacturing UK deputy managing director, said: “This is great news for Burnaston, we are proud to be starting work on the new Avensis, a car that is central to Toyota’s European strategy and a key model for the UK. British-built, and with petrol engines sourced from Toyota’s Deeside factory plus ultra-efficient diesels, it is a stronger market contender than ever before.”

Unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt motor show, the new-look Avensis builds on the spaciousness, practicality and fuel efficiency that are the established hallmark qualities of the model, delivering sharper contemporary styling, a quieter and more comfortable cabin and improved driving dynamics. In addition, its top-selling 2.0-litre D-4D engine has been significantly revised to achieve lower emissions and better fuel economy: with CO2 levels brought down to 119g/km, it strengthens Avensis’s appeal as a high value proposition, particularly for fleet operators and company car drivers.

The new Avensis is introduced with prices for the T2, TR and T Spirit saloon and tourer matched to those of the current model. There is a small decrease in the price of T4 models, taking into account revisions to the specification. The new range starts at £18,450 for the 1.8 Valvematic T2 saloon with six-speed manual transmission.