--- title: "You’re Welcome, Europe: US Demand for Toyota GR Corolla Could Bring It Overseas" date: "2025-06-21" modified: "2025-06-21" authors: - name: "Adam Ismail" job_title: "Senior Editor" link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/adam-ismail" url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/american-demand-will-bring-the-gr-corolla-to-europe" categories: - "News" - "News by Brand" - "Toyota News" tags: - "GR Corolla" - "Hatchback" - "sports car" - "Toyota" --- # You’re Welcome, Europe: US Demand for Toyota GR Corolla Could Bring It Overseas ![2025 Toyota GR Corolla next to 2024 GR Corolla in park, both red.]() *\Nico DeMattia\* Dear Europe: You're welcome. After years of importing your best performance cars, we're finally returning the favor from the other side of the pond—indirectly, anyway. Because while [Toyota]() doesn't build the [GR Corolla]() in North America, our demand for it has been so overwhelming that the company has decided to add another production line in the U.K., predominantly for American export, to supplement the hot hatches Toyota churns out of its Motomachi plant in Japan. At first, it seemed like these U.K.-built cars wouldn't be offered for local sale, which would've been a grave injustice. But now, a Toyota executive has hinted that might not be the case. "We have a philosophy that you build where you sell, so to build in Europe and not sell in Europe would be counter to that," Toyota Europe COO Matt Harrison told *[Auto Express]()* last week. "The gap between supply and demand is now, so it’s about how quickly we can get it. We need to act fast." That's about as big a confirmation as you'll ever hear anyone with the letter "C" in their job title drop, without it counting as a done deal. It's also the first time Toyota has officially indicated it would like to bring the hot hatch to the continent, where, let's be honest, rallying is given the respect it deserves. The [Celica GT-Four]() and Corolla WRC are the reason why the GR Yaris exists, and the GR Corolla happened because Toyota didn't want those of us who don't get a Yaris of any flavor to miss out entirely. ![2024 Toyota GR Corolla interior.]() *The interior of a 2024 Toyota GR Corolla. *Nico DeMattia** The [GR Yaris]() is undeniably cool, but it's also very tiny. I'll admit that when I first learned Toyota was planning to sell a GR version of the Corolla stateside, I was disappointed. Of *course,* America gets the bigger, heavier version of the same car without the direct link to a WRC contender. But I came around and, [having lived with mine]() for roughly a year and a half now, I don't know how I could've made the Yaris work anyway. The GR Corolla has a somewhat cramped interior as it is, so I can't begin to imagine the games of grocery store *Tetris* that Yaris owners have to play from time to time. Plus, it's still a riot. We've reached out to Toyota Europe personnel for a bit more insight into Harrison's comment, and will update this story with whatever we learn. In the meantime, Europe, I hope you enjoy the hot hatch it sounds like you'll be getting. I think you will. *Got a tip? Email us at tips@thedrive.com*[]() ## Author Adam is a Senior Editor at The Drive, concentrating on curating and developing the site's slate of daily journalism, from initial pitch to final copy edit. When he's not at his desk researching leads and working with writers, he's testing vehicles or reviewing racing games, new and old. He joined The Drive in 2023, following seven years of covering consumer technology and cars. A car lover and gamer since his earliest memories, Adam came to know the automotive world through video games. First it was Daytona USA, Sega Rally, and Ridge Racer; then came Need For Speed, which inspired an encyclopedic knowledge of '90s supercars, and, of course, Gran Turismo. If not for them, he'd assuredly be doing something else right now. Adam is based in the suburbs outside Philly, where there are ample roads for his hot hatch to stretch its legs. In his car, he's probably listening to indie rock, drum and bass, or Yankees baseball. ### Author social links [Bluesky]() [Instagram]() [LinkedIn]()