Toyota Yaris reaches 4,000,000 built in France

Gareth J. Hargreaves • August 19, 2026 14:29

4,000,000 Toyota Yaris built in France

On 8 December, the compact Toyota Yaris reached a major milestone: the 4,000,000th (four millionth) unit rolled off the line. The landmark car was produced in France at Toyota Motor Manufacturing France (TMMF), the plant that has built the Yaris continuously since the first generation arrived in 1999.

When the Yaris first appeared, it marked a decisive break from its predecessor, the Starlet, having been developed with European buyers firmly in mind. With its small footprint and eye-catching styling, it quickly won over both customers and critics, a success underlined by the International Car of the Year award in 2000.

Toyota Yaris sales growth in Europe

Across successive generations, the Yaris became ever more important to Toyota in Europe. That long-term momentum peaked in 2019, when roughly 224,000 units were sold (still from the third generation), accounting for 22% of Toyota’s sales and an approximate 8% share of the segment. It is Toyota’s best-selling model in Europe.

Fourth-generation Toyota Yaris and Hybrid efficiency

This year saw the arrival of the fourth generation, which again represents a substantial step away from what came before. A new platform (GA-B), a far sportier new look, and the introduction of the brand’s fourth-generation hybrid technology give the latest Yaris every chance of extending the success story built by its predecessors. It is also worth noting that the new Yaris was the first car to achieve five stars under the updated, more demanding Euro NCAP tests introduced this year.

The 4,000,000th unit made in Europe-there are other production sites worldwide too-is a Yaris Hybrid. Hybrid power is now closely associated with Toyota and, increasingly, with the Yaris itself, thanks to the growing commercial success of this version. In this latest generation, the hybrid Yaris manages to be both more powerful and more responsive, while further cutting fuel use and emissions versus its predecessor: 3.7 l/100 km and 85 g/km of CO2.

The “bad brothers”

For all the qualities the Yaris has accumulated over the years-qualities that have clearly fuelled its popularity-driver thrills were never really among them, even if the newest model is a clear leap forward compared with the last. That began to shift with the previous generation, when the particularly special Yaris GRMN was introduced: an old school pocket-rocket, analogue and devilish in character, but sadly scarce, as it was limited to just 400 units.

With the new, fourth generation, Toyota-and especially Gazoo Racing-set their sights on that benchmark and then went beyond it, creating what is probably the most exciting and talked-about machine of the year: the GR Yaris. It is a wicked device with hints of a Frankenstein monster, a genuine homologation special-only 2500 will be built-seemingly always poised to attack the next rally stage, and guaranteed to quicken the pulse of any enthusiast with petrol in their veins.