PRODUCTION started in the UK last month of the first mass-produced hybrid vehicle to be built in Europe.

Japan's Toyota motor manufacturer said the decision to build the new full hybrid Auris Hybrid in the UK is a landmark for the nation's car industry.

The company reports that key challenges had to be met in preparing for the production of the new model and these were achieved in what was the shortest lead-time yet for any European-built car.

One of these challenges was the fact that, although the hybrid is built on the same production line as existing petrol and diesel Auris models, it takes 11 minutes longer to complete because of the need for "clever" integration of novel equipment.

Fresh processes had to be produced to ensure this did not cause a bottleneck on the assembly line. The Auris Hybrid went on sale across Europe on 1 July this year.

The UK has also been chosen by Japan's Nissan car maker to produce its new LEAF electric vehicle that is claimed to be the world's first affordable mass-produced zero-emission vehicle.

Meanwhile, average CO2 emissions in European new cars are falling at a faster rate than ever before and are on course to meet 2015 European Union targets, according to the world's leading provider of automotive intelligence, JATO Dynamics.

Last year (2009) saw the greatest single-year decline in average CO2, as the urge to put cleaner cars on the road was accelerated by the rich mix of customer demand for more fuel-efficient vehicles, the introduction of CO2-based taxes in some markets, and national scrappage schemes across Europe favouring smaller, cleaner cars.

The volume-weighted European new car average is now 145.9 gram per kilometre (g/km), almost 20 g/km fewer than 2003, when JATO began collating European CO2 emissions data. Furthermore, half of all new cars sold in the 21 countries analysed had official CO2 emissions of 140g/km or less, compared with only 23 per cent in 2003.

David Di Girolamo, head of JATO Consult, said: "The pace of improvement is remarkable and shows just how rapidly the industry has reacted to environmental demands."

In investing in Toyota Manufacturing UK (TMUK) to build the Auris Hybrid hatchback, Toyota has signalled its confidence in its UK operations - the car plant at Burnaston in Derbyshire and the engine factory at Deeside in North Wales - and in UK manufacturing.

Established in 1992, TMUK was Toyota's first European production base and has benefited from 1.85 billion pounds of investment in its operations since launch.

In June 2010, Toyota produced its three millionth vehicle made in the UK. Celebrating the landmark and demonstrating continued commitment to the environment, workers planted a commemorative tree.

Following a challenging time for the global motor industry, the opportunity for Toyota to take the lead with the new Auris model is a source of great pride for the TMUK workforce.

Tony Walker, deputy managing director, explained: "Auris Hybrid provides a great opportunity for Toyota to increase sales and for TMUK to increase production. Being the first to manufacture this new technology is a source of immense motivation for everyone here at TMUK."

The exceptional environmental performance of the Auris Hybrid, with CO2 emissions from 89g/km, aligns perfectly with TMUK's status as one of Toyota's sustainable factories, providing a lead in achieving the highest standards in environmental management.

Burnaston was the first car plant in the UK to achieve ISO 14001 certification and has reduced waste to landfill and waste for incineration to zero. TMUK continues to cut energy and water use and emissions from both its sites, with reductions of more than 70 per cent achieved between 1992 and 2008.

And, as well as learning about and supporting best environmental practices in the workplace, employees are also given support to reduce their carbon footprint at home. Toyota UK also works with its local communities in increasing environmental awareness.