Toyota to construct global R&D in China

After the March 11 earthquake, Toyota began to look for ways to strengthen its production, including R&D, outside of Japan. The Japanese automaker has thus began construction of a US$689 million R&D center in China, the world’s largest automaker. Akio Toyoda, Toyota’s president said, “If there is anything Toyota can do for China now, that has to be our hybrid and related plug-in technology. “The R&D center is expected to be completed by 2013 but there are already plans to produce Toyota’s Prius hybrid in the new facility. Assembly may begin next year. The R&D center is being constructed in Changshu, northwest of Shanghai. (October 24, 2011)