Toyota responded to the drop in barriers by introducing a new strategy of designing vehicles targeted specifically at European customers. This involved setting up a European Design and Development cen- ter in southern France and allowing design teams across the globe to compete for projects. The Yaris, Toyota's best-selling vehicle in the EU, was designed by a Greek and was the first to be developed within the region. It subsequently was named Car of the Year 2000 in both Europe and Japan. As another key element of its European strategy, Toyota has also set up additional production centers in the region and now manufactures all of its best European-selling vehicles in Europe, including the facility in France in the opening photo in the chapter. The new-generation Toyota Corolla, voted 2002 European Car of the Year, and the Avensis, the first Toyota vehicle to be exported from Europe to Japan,were both designed and built in Europe. In December 2006, Toyota celebrated its one millionth made-in-Europe Yaris. Manufacturing facilities in Eastern Europe allow the Japanese automaker to lower production costs due to lower wages.