Freight News, Rail

Toyotas roll from Toton

[ February 23, 2022   //   Chris ]

Rail firm DB Cargo and vehicle logistics specialist Groupe CAT have launched a new service to move finished cars between a £2.6 million automotive transfer facility at Toton in Nottinghamshire and Kolin  in the Czech republic, via Valenciennes in northern France, through the Channel Tunnel.

Groupe CAT has invested £3 million in refurbishing 20-year-old wagons.

The service will transport hybrid Derby-built Toyota Corollas to French customers and Toyota Aygo and Yaris vehicles into the UK on the return leg six days a week, moving 250 cars per train in each direction, the equivalent of around 29 road transporters.

DB Cargo UK’s chief sales officer Roger Neary said: “Freight belongs on rail and this is a really exciting collaboration between DB Cargo UK, Groupe CAT and Toyota. It’s a win-win-win for all those involved and will see us deliver an efficient and environmentally-friendly rail logistics solution for one of the world’s biggest automotive manufacturers. Not only that, it has also seen us breathe new life back into a previously disused area of our strategic Toton site.”

DB Cargo is the UK’s leading transporter of finished vehicles by rail, much of it in partnership with Groupe CAT. It has built a 4.25 acre hardstanding area along with loading and unloading facilities at Toton, over 800m of new rail track  and 900m of security fencing.

Tunnel operator Getlink said the new business would boost through rail freight by15% a year, compared to 2021 and avoiding ovder 8,000 tonnes of COof carbon emissions.

Toyota Motor Europe vehicle logistics director, Jean-Christophe Deville,said: “The start of this rail freight link marks an important milestone for Toyota as we seek to gradually reduce carbon emissions over time by improving operations with innovative and durable solutions. We have an ambitious plan to expand our use of rail freight, which will bring additional benefits to our customers with reduced delivery times.”