Toyota Increasing Michigan Research And Development With $126M Expansion

Toyota Motor Corp. is further increasing its research and development work in southeastern Michigan. This Japanese automaker plans to expand its Ann Arbour area operations again.

For the third time in a little more than a year, Toyota has announced an expansion of its Southeast Michigan R&D campuses. The most recent announcement involves an investment of $126 million for the expansion of powertrain operations at its Ann Arbor campus and the consolidation of vehicle development operations at a new facility in its York Township facility. As well as building a 260,000-square-foot facility and relocating 85 workers from California.

Both vehicle development and powertrain functions will become centralized in Michigan, increasing their scope, responsibility and decision-making ability with the expansion of its Ann Arbor operations. Earlier this year, they announced the addition of 250 direct procurement and supplier engineering development positions currently based in Erlanger, KY. The new facilities are scheduled to be completed in 2017.

"The Technical Center continues to be a vital part of our growing North American operations that enables Toyota to package greater value for our customers," said Ed Mantey, senior vice president at the Toyota Technical Center. "Centralizing our vehicle development and powertrain functions here in Michigan is beneficial for our decision-making process and allows us to better respond to changes in the marketplace while improving the speed at which we can offer technology advances to customers."

"Toyota's expansion in the Ann Arbor region is a clear indicator that we offer the perfect infrastructure, talented workforce and support for a growing business," said Paul Krutko President and CEO, Ann Arbor SPARK. "Toyota could locate its North American powertrain operations anywhere but chose Ann Arbor; the company's investment and the jobs it will create are a continuing win for our economy."