Toyota Motor Manufacturing (UK) Ltd built its first European factory in Burnaston, South Derbyshire and as a result of this move, South Derbyshire District Council, Derby City Council, Toyota City Council and ourselves signed a formal twinning agreement in 1998 for mutual benefit.
In 2023 an ambitious programme of events took place to mark the quarter-century twinning anniversary.
Japanese activity delivered for 2023:
- a brochure was compiled to promote the regions with a chronological timeline of twinning activity
- Shine A Light Video Projection on Derby's Guildhall and Toyota's Kojakuji Temple - this project was part funded by Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation
- the Toyota City Junior Marching Band performed in 3 iconic Derbyshire venues; Chatsworth, Maurice Lee park and Derby Cathedral
- Toyota City stall at Chatsworth Country Fair.
- inbound 5-day mayoral visit from Toyota City with 7 dignitaries.
- business networking session with Derbyshire and Toyota City Chambers of Commerce
- official Twinning Ceremony and Memorandum of Understanding signing
- outbound multi-agency visit to Toyota City
- action plan for The Toyota City Partnership Board 2024 onwards
- annual Toyota City high school student visit to Derbyshire co-ordinated by BSDC
- 16 hectares of land allocated for a new Twinning Blossom Woodland
- annual junior high school student visit to Derbyshire – 28 Toyota City students
- Toyota cars to be exhibited at the Great British Car Journey Museum in Derbyshire as part of their permanent collection
- successful Turing bid for Belper School - 15 Derbyshire students visited Toyota City for a 2-week educational trip in February 2024
At the official twinning ceremonies in Derbyshire and Toyota City, a new 25th anniversary memorandum of understanding was signed by the leaders of Toyota City and the 3 Derbyshire authorities, with a view to the strategic development of the partnership over the next 25 years for mutual benefit.