Changshu, Nov 15, 2013 - (JCN Newswire) - Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) held a ceremony today to celebrate the completion of a number of new R&D facilities at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing (China) Co., Ltd. (TMEC) in the ChangshuNew and Hi-Tech Industrial Development Zone1. The new facilities will play a key role in Toyota's ongoing efforts to localize production in China.
The completion ceremony was attended by special guests from the provincial and municipal governments as well as Japanese ambassador to China Masato Kitera and representatives from local joint venture partners China FAW Group Corporation and Guangzhou Automobile Group Co., Ltd. From TMC, executive vice presidents Mitsuhisa Kato and Yasumori Ihara, among others, attended.
During the ceremony, Kato stated: "Our goal is to continue to exceed the expectations of Chinese consumers. This means listening to what they say and making no compromises in creating the best cars possible. I believe TMEC will play a vital role in this regard." TMC Senior Managing Officer and TMEC President Tadashi Yamashina followed: "This is just the beginning. We must now work to execute our goals of localizing production of environmental technologies and making cars that meet the needs of Chinese consumers."
This ceremony marks the completion of TMEC's core facilities, including a vehicle test course, technology testing facilities and the Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Technical Center2. As a development center for cutting-edge component technologies, TMEC will leverage its new infrastructure to popularize environmental technologies in China.
Through TMEC, Toyota has made steady progress in developing Chinese-made hybrid systems. At today's ceremony, Toyota also announced the establishment of a new battery production company and local production of key components, such as inverters and transaxles. Plans call for the introduction of locally-built hybrid systems in vehicles produced and sold through joint ventures around 2015.
About Toyota
Supported by people around the world, Toyota Motor Corporation (TSE: 7203; NYSE: TM), has endeavored since its establishment in 1937 to serve society by creating better products. As of the end of March 2012, Toyota conducts its business worldwide with 50 overseas manufacturing companies in 27 countries and regions. Toyota's vehicles are sold in more than 160 countries and regions. For more information, please visit www.toyota-global.com.
Source: Toyota
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