Toyota Opens Expanded R&D Facilities in Michigan

By IvyLee Rosario

Toyota celebrated the 40th anniversary of its North American research and development operations by opening the expanded Toyota Motor North America Research & Development Purchasing and Prototype Development centers in York Township, Mich.

TMNA R&D Purchasing and Prototype Development center

Three years ago, Toyota announced its “One Toyota” plan of creating more unified operations with a $154 million expansion of the Michigan centers. The investment relocated direct procurement and supplier engineering development talent from Erlanger, Ky., and vehicle development and powertrain from California.

The TMNA R&D campus focuses on sustainability, with features such as low-flow faucets for water conservation, the use of LED lighting, high-efficiency building shells and exterior landscaping using indigenous plants such as Michigan strawberries. The TMNA R&D Supplier Center has applied for the new LEED Version 4. If approved, this will make the TMNA R&D Supplier Center the first LEED V4 Platinum building in Michigan.

The celebration also brought upon the announcement of the newest executive leader to the TMNA R&D team, Shinichi Yasui. He serves as Toyota engineering and manufacturing president, executive vice president of TMNA R&D and managing officer of Toyota Motor Corp.

“We now have a fully developed Research and Development operation in the heart of the auto industry in southeast Michigan, which will allow for deep collaboration between all departments, reinforcing our commitment to One Toyota,” said Yasui, in prepared remarks. “I am excited to join the TMNA R&D team as we commemorate 40 years of engineering excellence here in Michigan.”

Image courtesy of Toyota Motor North America