Toyota Sets Up Advanced Research Institute in N. America

JCN Newswires, April 2, 2008

Tokyo, Japan, Apr 2, 2008 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) announced today that it has established an institute in the United States that specializes in advanced research.

The Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRI-NA) - located on the Ann Arbor, Michigan campus of the Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc. - aims to strengthen TMC's advanced research efforts in North America, while enhancing interaction with North American universities and research organizations.

TRI-NA plans to accelerate advanced research in "energy and environment", "safety" and other fields hitherto conducted by TTC (which has been engaged in both advanced research and research for improving products for North America) and to adopt "mobility infrastructure" as a new advanced-research theme.

Over the next four years, TMC will invest $100 million U.S. dollars in TRI-NA, which was established with 35 researchers and administration staff members and which plans to add 10 researchers by the end of 2008 and an additional 20 by the end of 2010.

This development is part of TMC's efforts to strengthen R&D for helping make sustainable mobility a reality.

Outline of TRI-NA

Name          Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRI-NA)
Location      On TTC's Ann Arbor, Michigan campus in the U.S.
Established   April 1, 2008
Director      Dr. Noboru Kikuchi
Activities    Advanced research related to "energy and environment",
              "safety" and "mobility infrastructure"
Staff         35 researchers and administration staff members at time
              of establishment; 10 more researchers intended to be
              added by the end of 2008 and an additional 20
              researchers by the end of 2010

About Toyota Motor Corporation

Established in 1937, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), which celebrates its 70th anniversary this year, has developed into one of the world's best known automobile manufacturers. The Toyota Group sold over 8.5 million vehicles under the Toyota, Lexus, Daihatsu, and Hino brands in more than 170 countries and regions in fiscal 2007. Further, the Company's production is firmly rooted in local communities, with 52 companies manufacturing vehicles and parts in 26 countries and regions. Toyota had approximately 300,000 employees on a consolidated basis at the end of fiscal 2007. The company is headquartered in Aichi, Japan. For more information, please visit www.toyota.co.jp/en/index.html .

Source: Toyota Motor Corporation

Contact:

Toyota Motor Corporation
Corporate Communications Department/
Public Affairs Division
Tel:  81-3-3817-9150
URL: http://www.toyota.co.jp/en

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