Situated just 55km (35 miles) from the Czech capital Prague, the TPCA plant at Kolin is a joint venture between Toyota and Groupe PSA. It produces a line-up affectionately known on site as ‘the triplets’ – the Toyota Aygo, the Peugeot 108 and the Citroen C1. The Kolin factory began operations around 2005 and is co-owned in a 50-50 split arrangement between the two OEM giants, specifically to assemble these platform-sharing A-segment cars. However, the joint-venture is approaching the end of its tenure and in 2021 Toyota will assume 100% ownership.

Full capacity at the factory is around 300,000 units, although the plant’s record year, 2009, saw 330,000 cars roll off the assembly line. A decade on, the present targets are adjusted to around 185,000. However, the market still manages to surprise even the most wise and experienced manufacturing minds. Last year, at a time when the A-segment was considered to be in decline, TPCA’s final production figures came in at 211,000. As industry watchers know, tastes and demands across the customer base are changing. Sales of ‘the triplets’ remain strong in large markets, such as the UK and France. So, while the segment may be under review in the corridors of power, TPCA’s numbers demonstrate that the buying public still retains a liking for the city car…