Toyota Technical Center is branching out, and designing cars

Posted on Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 1:37 p.m.

Toyota Technical Center is branching out, and designing cars

By Ben Freed

This article was corrected to reflect that the engineers graduated from Michigan universities, not the University of Michigan.

A report from Automotive News highlights the increased research and development being done at the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor Township.

Melanie Maxwell | AnnArbor.com

While the technical center primarily was used for testing Japanese designed automobiles in the past, the 2013 Toyota Avalon was designed and engineered at the center. The center announced plans to hire 150 new employees earlier this year.

According to the story, three chief engineers at the location hold engineering degrees from Michigan universities.

Read the full story at Autonews.com

Comments

A2comments

Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:21 p.m.

TTC is in Ann Arbor Township AND York Township.

Dog Guy

Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 5:15 a.m.

I imagine that the Toyota Technical Center in Ann Arbor Township is responsible for the new Prius radio which automatically tunes to the strongest NPR station or, if no NPR signal is available, shuts itself off.

TLB

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 10:56 p.m.

Actually the article doesn't say the schools the Chief Engineers graduated from, funny how the assumption is U of M. The article says they hold degrees from Michigan Universities, not University of Michigan. Two of them are MSU grads and the other is U of D Mercy.

Ben Freed

Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 1:52 p.m.

@TLB, you're correct. This was oversight and hasty reading on my part. The article has been corrected to reflect this. Thanks for reading, Ben

A2comments

Wed, Jul 25, 2012 : 12:25 p.m.

Very sloppy reporting.

brimble

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 9:30 p.m.

The Toyota Technical Center is almost a secret, though it has a huge positive impact on Washtenaw County. The distinction between the two locations is not an important one; the fact of the matter is that Toyota has committed hugely to our local economy, and to supporting institutions like the Summer Festival, the University Musical Society, and so on. The jobs they have brought truly are high-skill, high-pay positions, and while three chief engineers have U of M degrees, many, many more of the employees are alums from Michigan, Michigan State, and Michigan Tech. Happy new indeed!

Ron Granger

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 9:16 p.m.

"According to the story, three chief engineers at the location hold engineering degrees from the University of Michigan." That sure beats out the plans of those who wanted to build condos at that location. I was never, ever a Granholm fan but that Toyota development center deal was something she did right.

sellers

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.

the Ann Arbor Township location or the York Township location south of Ann Arbor/Saline ?

Amanda Zee

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 8:30 p.m.

The very first line of the story reads 'Ann Arbor Township'.

Linda Peck

Tue, Jul 24, 2012 : 6:33 p.m.

I really like the sound of this!!