Toyota
Technical Center (TTC) a division of Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North America, today announced the establishment of the
Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRI-NA). Toyota plans to spend
$100 million during the next four years on advanced research activity in
North America and will utilize existing facility space at the Toyota
Technical Center Ann Arbor campus.
Toyota has been pursuing Sustainable Mobility, which addresses four key
priorities: advanced technologies, urban environment, energy, and
partnerships with government and academia. Based on these priorities,
TRI-NA will accelerate advanced research on energy and environment, safety,
and mobility infrastructure.
The Toyota Research Institute will be directed by Dr. Noboru Kikuchi,
who is the Roger L. McCarthy Professor of Mechanical Engineering at the
University of Michigan and also a Director of Toyota Central Research &
Development Laboratories, Inc. in Japan. Dr. Kikuchi will report directly
to Mr. Yasuhiko Ichihashi, President of Toyota Technical Center-NA. TRI-NA
initially will employ 35 researchers and administration staff, and plans to
add 10 researchers in 2008 and an additional 20 by 2010. "Creating the
Toyota Research Institute is the next step to strengthen Toyota's advanced
research function throughout North America and to discover cutting-edge
technologies for sustainable mobility," said Dr. Kikuchi.
"Toyota's decision to establish the Toyota Research Institute in Ann
Arbor to direct advanced research activities for North America is another
piece of good news for Michigan," Governor Jennifer M. Granholm said.
"Toyota's decision demonstrates that Michigan is a leading state for
research and offers an attractive business climate for companies to grow."
Toyota (NYSE: TM) established operations in North America in 1957 and
currently operates 13 manufacturing plants. In addition, new plants are
under construction in Ontario, Canada and Mississippi. There are more than
1,700 Toyota, Lexus and Scion dealerships in North America which sold more
than 2.9 million vehicles in 2007. Toyota directly employs over 43,000 in
North America and its investment here is currently valued at more than $21
billion, including sales and manufacturing operations, research and
development, financial services and design. Toyota's annual purchasing of
parts, materials, goods and services from North American suppliers totals
more than $30 billion per year.
Toyota currently produces 11 vehicles in North America, including the
Avalon, Camry, Camry Hybrid, Corolla, Matrix, Sienna, Solara, Sequoia,
Tacoma, Tundra and the Lexus RX 350. When production begins in Ontario and
Mississippi, Toyota will have 15 manufacturing plants with the annual
capacity to build approximately 2.2 million cars and trucks, 1.49 million
engines and 425,000 automatic transmissions.
SOURCE Toyota
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