The Toyota Technical Center announced Thursday it will invest more than $28 million to expand its powertrain operations at two facilities in Ann Arbor adding 100 new jobs in the next five years. Construction will begin this month, with completion projected by late 2014.
“This may be the home of the Detroit Three, but Toyota also has deep roots in Michigan as well,” said Bob Carter, senior vice president of automotive operations at Toyota Motor Sales USA, during an Automotive Press Association meeting. “(This includes) our Toyota Technical Center here in Ann Arbor which houses four of our American chief engineers.”
In the past 20 months, Toyota has invested some $2 billion in its North American manufacturing facilities. Its growth in Ann Arbor will support powertrain development capability, specifically in the areas of design, evaluation, and calibration on new engine and transmission projects.
Toyota’s continued development in Michigan is “welcome news for all of us,” Gov. Rick Snyder said in a statement. “Toyota’s commitment strongly signals that Michigan offers an improved climate for increased business investment,” he added.
Toyota’s 36-year relationship with Ann Arbor Township helped in the decision-making process behind the new venture.
“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., noting that Michigan Economic Development Corp., Ann Arbor Spark, and Ann Arbor Township “have been at the table with (Toyota) to make this expansion possible.”
