for engineering and safety testing facilities on Oct. 9 in York Township, MI. The company already has a site in Ann Arbor, MI, with the expansion adding 400 new jobs and boosting its employment to 1100 by 2010. Toyota says it has been conducting R&D in Michigan for more than 30 years, and it recognizes the southeastern portion of the state as a hub for the industry, justifying its latest $187-million investment. The first tech center in Ann Arbor opened in 1977 and continues work in engineering design, prototype building, vehicle evaluation and engineering, materials engineering, powertrain tuning and design, regulatory affairs, and advanced technical research.

In late 2004, Toyota announced its bid for the York Township property, signing a purchase agreement the following spring. In 2004, Toyota announced its intention to create consolidated R&D and manufacturing operations.