Breaking News : Toyota announces TME technical centre expansion

TOKYO/ZAVENTEM, Belgium : September 4, 2008 - TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION (TMC) announced today that Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA (TME), which manages TMC-related European manufacturing and engineering operations, plans to expand its production engineering and research and development base in Europe to better meet the needs of European customers.


The expansion of the TME Technical Centre in Zaventem, Belgium, includes construction of TME's first test track for development purposes in Europe and enhancement of facilities to assess vibration, noise, safety and environmental impact levels of vehicles designed for the European market. Planned to begin in 2009 and to be completed in around 2010, the expansion will be made possible through the investment of 80 million euro. Overall, the TME Technical Centre plans to create positions for 250 new staff.

With an aim to strengthen its product development in Europe, TMC has been expanding its research and development efforts there since 2004, and in 2006, set up research facilities to conduct experiments to develop vehicle upper bodies* for Toyota models manufactured in Europe and to evaluate the adaptability of diesel engines to vehicles sold in the European market. This most-recent expansion will serve to further localize technological development in Europe.

With Japan as the center, TMC has established research and development bases in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia to carry out vehicle and parts design, planning and evaluation. TMC intends to continue to strive to develop and offer products that suit regional conditions and meet the needs of customers all over the world.

[Source : TOYOTA]