Tokyo announced on April 4 that it has established an institute located on the Ann Arbor, Mich. campus of the Toyota Technical Center (TTC) that specializes in advanced research. The Toyota Research Institute of North America (TRI-NA), -- 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 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 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, according to a company statement.
