Toyota sets up advanced research institute in North America
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 RandD 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. |
| Date established | April 1, 2008 |
| Director | Dr. Noboru Kikuchi |
| Scope of 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 |