More Toyota Power Coming To Detroit Metro Area

Toyota Invests $28M in Ann Arbor Powertrain R&D Expansion

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Sep 05, 2013, 12:30 ET

ANN ARBOR, Mich., Sept. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, N.A.(TEMA), announced an investment of more than $28M to expand its powertrain operations at two facilities in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The new growth will support powertrain development capability, specifically in the areas of design, evaluation and calibration on new engine and transmission projects. Beefing up these three areas in Ann Arbor is just the latest example of Toyota's commitment to drive more local decision-making and ultimately faster, more precise response to its customers. "An expansion of this magnitude takes good team work with local partnerships," said Simon Nagata, president of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc. "Our friends at Michigan Economic Development Corporation, Ann Arbor SPARK and Ann Arbor Township have been at the table with us to make this expansion possible."

"Toyota is a global leader in the automotive industry and its growth in Michigan is welcome news for all of us," Governor Rick Snyder said. "Toyota's commitment strongly signals that Michigan offers an improved climate for increased business investment. We welcome this very positive decision."

Paul Krutko, president of Ann Arbor SPARK adds, "Toyota chose to locate and take root here because of local resources, specifically the deep pool of engineering and technical talent. Ann Arbor SPARK, working with its partners at the local and state level, is committed to attracting leaders like Toyota to the region, and offering them the wide range of support to grow their businesses here."

"Ann Arbor Township and Toyota have worked together for 36 years," said Mike Moran, supervisor, Ann Arbor Township. "We are pleased to assist Toyota to transition the Technical Center into this new use, and look forward to at least another 36 years together."

The expansion projects will occur in Ann Arbor and position TTC to develop engines and automatic transmissions for the North American designed and manufactured vehicles. For over 10 years, Toyota has been manufacturing engines and transmissions in the U.S. and in the past 20 months Toyota has invested about $2 billion in its North American manufacturing facilities, adding more than 4,000 new jobs.

About Toyota: Toyota, the world's top automaker and creator of the Prius, is committed to building vehicles for the way people live through our Toyota, Lexus and Scion brands. Over the past 50 years, we've built more than 25 million cars and trucks in North America, where we operate 14 manufacturing plants (10 in the U.S.) and directly employ nearly 40,000 people (more than 37,000 in the U.S.). Our 1,800 North American dealerships sold more than 2.3 million cars and trucks in 2012 – and about 80 percent of all Toyota vehicles sold over the past 20 years are still on the road today.

Toyota partners with philanthropic organizations across the country, with a focus on education, safety and the environment. As part of this commitment, we share the company's extensive know-how garnered from building great cars and trucks to help community organizations and other nonprofits expand their ability to do good. (NYSE:TM) For more information about Toyota, visit www.toyotanewsroom.com.

Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America, Inc. (TEMA), is responsible for Toyota's engineering design, development, R&D and manufacturing activities in North America. TEMA's Toyota Technical Center (TTC) operates engineering, research and development facilities in Ann Arbor, MI, including Toyota's Collaborative Safety Research Center (CSRC).

About Ann Arbor SPARK: Ann Arbor SPARK, a non-profit organization, is advancing the region by encouraging and supporting business acceleration, attraction and retention. The organization identifies and meets the needs of business at every stage, from start-ups to large organizations. Ann Arbor SPARK collaborates with business, academic, government, and community investor partners including the University of Michigan, Eastern Michigan University, Washtenaw Community College, Washtenaw County, Livingston County, Washtenaw County etcs/Michigan Works!, the City of Ann Arbor, Bank of Ann Arbor and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation. For more information, please call (734) 761-9317 or visit www.AnnArborUSA.org.

About Michigan Economic Development Corporation: Pure Michigan is a brand representing business, talent and tourism initiatives across Michigan. These efforts are driven by the Michigan Economic Development Corporation, which serves as the state's marketing arm and lead advocate for business growth, jobs and opportunity with a focus on helping grow Michigan's economy. For more on the MEDC and its initiatives, visit: MichiganBusiness.org. For Michigan travel news, updates and information, visit michigan.org.

SOURCE Toyota