Toyota has opened a technical centre in the heart
of Europe to deal with the specific needs of its European customers.
The new centre in Belgium
will cater for all Toyota cars for Europe |
|
 |
The new research and development centre situated in Zaventem, Belgium,
close to the carmaker's European headquarters, will focus on the complete
upper body development of all future Toyota cars for Europe.
The technical centre will undertake body, chassis and electronic design;
the selection and testing of materials and components; engine evaluation
and fine tuning of driveability characteristics of all Toyota models.
"The expansion of our R&D operations is crucial to our future
growth in Europe," announced European president, Shinichi Sasaki
at the opening ceremony last night, attended by Belgium's Prime Minister,
Guy Verhofstadt.
"It will help ensure that our European customers receive superior
quality vehicles that are specifically tailored to their tastes,"
he said.
Representing a total investment of €130mn, the centre currently employs
580 skilled staff, although there are plans for further growth.
A full report is in the February 2006 issue of AE
|
|
