Toyota upbeat about latest model

The new Avensis was unveiled at the firm's Burnaston factory

Japanese car firm Toyota has unveiled its new Avensis model only two months after the night shift making the Auris was temporarily suspended.

The third generation of the Avensis will be built at Burnaston, Derbyshire which employs more than 4,000 people.

Toyota UK corporate affairs director Clive Bridge said the challenging economic climate was the best time to bring out a new model.

"When times are difficult you want your best product on show," he said.

At the beginning of November, Toyota shocked analysts by announcing much lower than expected quarterly profits and slashing its earnings forecast for 2008.

'Positive reaction'

Net profits fell by 69% in the three months to September as the company was hit hard by a slowdown in consumer spending in the US.

At Burnaston, the night shift for the Auris was suspended until March and workers were redeployed on community projects.

Mr Bridge said Toyota was confident the new model would sell well.

"We've been working hard for a number of years to get to this stage.

"We launched it at the Paris Motor Show recently and that got a very positive reaction. All the consumer tests we've done have been very positive."

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The carmaker hopes to beat the slump in the car market and safeguard jobs