New resource for engineering students

Toyota Manufacturing UK’s Engine Plant, based on the Deeside Industrial Park, has donated a pre-production Toyota Yaris to NEWI (North East Wales Institute of Higher Education) for students on its automotive courses to use for the practical aspects of their degree courses.

An official hand-over ceremony for the car took place today on the NEWI, Plas Coch Campus. During the ceremony Clare Hopkins from Toyota formally presented the Toyota Yaris car to one of NEWI’s Assistant Principals Professor Graeme Wilkinson.  At the event the range of cars used by NEWI’s performance car students were also on display.

The audience for the ceremony included members of NEWI’s senior management team, representatives from Wrexham County Borough Council’s Economic Development department, engineering lecturers and current students.

NEWI runs a number of courses within this area including undergraduate degrees in Performance Car Technology; Performance Car Electronics and Technology; Automotive Electronics Technology and Motorsport Design and Management.

Professor Graeme Wilkinson was thrilled with the new addition and with the working relationship with Toyota. He said, “I would like to thank Toyota for donating this car to us and I’m sure that our students will enjoy working on this new addition to our automotive facilities. This donation shows Toyota’s commitment to the community and to higher education. As a business facing institution NEWI has a long history of working with business in the design of its degrees, employment of graduates and through its applied research.”

Toyota is one of the world’s largest vehicle manufacturers.  Its Deeside engine plant produces fully assembled petrol engines for the company’s vehicles manufacturing plant in Derbyshire as well for export to Toyota plants across the world.

Graham Hillier, Manager, General Affairs, Toyota Manufacturing UK said “As a good corporate citizen we are committed to our local communities.  Over the past few years we have been able to support many local organisations and good causes.  We are always particularly pleased to assist in educational projects and we hope that the car we have donated becomes a valuable training aid for many years to come”.