TIMES are tough in the UK motor industry, but the fact that Toyota is forging ahead with a new model of the Avensis is the best news its Burnaston workforce could have hoped for.

Burnaston has been the home of the Avensis since it was first launched back in 1997 – and in 2003 the plant started to produce a second version.

But it was by no means certain the plant would be given the responsibility of producing the third-generation Avensis.

Toyota has manufacturing plants all over the globe – and any one of them could have been selected to do the work.

But the company decided to stick with the Derbyshire plant because of its reputation for producing quality.

And the Avensis is not just another Toyota. It is the firm's flagship model – and much is resting on its success.

Toyota has said it is confident staff at Burnaston will produce a quality product, which will stand out from the competition.

That competition has never been fiercer due to the current downturn in the car market.

Consumers need a good reason to be persuaded back on to the forecourt – and, in the new Avensis, Toyota is confident it has come up with the solution.

The development of the new-look Avensis began about three years ago and was designed at ED2, the Toyota design studio in the south of France.

Staff at Burnaston have worked on the development of the car, building the initial few models and testing them.

The actual model unveiled at the Paris Motor Show yesterday was built at Burnaston.

For the 2,000 staff who will produce the car, their training began back in April.

Now, they are ready and prepared for production to start.

Marvin Cooke, production operations director, is responsible for all production at the Burnaston plant.

Mr Cooke, of Melbourne, who has worked at the plant since it opened in 1991, said: "The Avensis is the company's flagship model so we're all extremely proud to be manufacturing it here at Burnaston.

"We feel completely ready to make the new model.

"An exact date in November has not yet been set for the first one to role off the production line.

"There will be about a three-day gap between the last of the old Avensis coming off the production line and the first of the new ones being produced."

Rik Rasdall, of Littleover, is a member on the assembly line.

He said: "When I joined five years ago, the company had started producing the second generation of the Avensis.

"To be working on the third generation is really exciting.

"The preparation has been excellent and we are raring to go.

"The car looks very athletic and it is high-quality throughout. I work on the final part of the line, which involves the interior and I can say first-hand that it looks fantastic.

"These cars will go all over the world – and I'm particularly proud they are made here."

As well as being sold in Europe, the Burnaston-built Avensis will also be exported to 56 countries outside the EU including Panama, Senegal, Barbados and New Zealand.

The new model Avensis also provides a welcome morale booster for Burnaston's staff.

In July, Toyota announced it was temporarily cutting production on the Auris – the other car made at Burnaston – due to a fall in demand caused by the economic downturn.

From last month, the firm suspended one of the two shifts on the Auris production line.

The suspension will be in force for five months before being reviewed.

However, the company has given reassurances no full-time staff will be losing their jobs.

Toyota expects the car market to pick up in 2009 – and the company has said retaining its workforce in hard times will stand the firm in good stead when conditions improve.

And it is hoping the new-look Avensis will spearhead its resurgence in the car market.

The company has said it is confident the car will be popular with customers with its sporty new look, green credentials and new safety features.

According to some of the Toyota staff, the opportunity to build the new Avensis could not have come at a better time.

Josh Sidhu, a team leader on the assembly line, who has been with the company for 15 years, said: "This has come at the right time for us, considering the credit crunch.

"It gives us a more long-term future and job security."

Chris Leighton, also a team leader, said: "It's given the plant a big boost in terms of morale.

"I'm looking forward to showing the world we make the best cars – and I'm very confident it is going to sell well."

After production starts in November, the car will go on sale in January.

A target of 128,000 has been set in terms of sales for 2009 – and Burnaston will be hoping that the figure can be achieved on the forecourts.

Peter Tsouvallaris, is team leader in the plant's facilities department.

He said: "It is an important car with the climate we're in.

"I've received positive feedback from the workers and that is always a good sign.

"Because of the market conditions, we have to be realistic but the vibe among the workers is that the car is good.

"And the long-term prospects at Burnaston are also good. The company is continuing to invest in the plant – and as worker, it gives you confidence."

Clive Bridge, corporate affairs director for Toyota Motor Manufacturing UK, said: "Our commitment to making cars of superior quality has allowed us to take on the next Avensis.

"This is a tremendous confidence boost for staff."