As it steps up its efforts in the world’s leading car market, China, Toyota has announced the introduction of an Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Technical Centre at its new Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing China Company research and development centre in Changshu.
Toyotais hoping to strengthen its car manufacturing research and development in the area and will co-operate with its joint venture companies including China FAW Group Corporation and Guangzhou Automobile Group. As part of the agreement, Toyota will support vehicle development carried out by these joint venture companies, including the testing and evaluation of vehicles.
In addition, Toyota will develop advanced component technologies while the research and development centres focus on the development of vehicle bodies. It is also hoping to promote the expansion of environmental technologies in China.
The Energy Saving and New Energy Vehicle Technical Centre will communicate with a number of external parties, carry out field operational tests and have a mind on launching environmental vehicles such as plug-in hybrid vehicles and electric vehicles.
Furthermore, Toyota has outlined plans to establish a development group for the production of China-made hybrid vehicles.
