Toyota Technical Center to hire 150 employees in 2012 in Washtenaw County

The company is looking to hire engineers, technicians, advanced researchers and scientists who will work in the areas of powertrain, mechanical design, electrical engineering, electronics and advanced research.

In addition, the Toyota Technical Center plans to add another 100 jobs over the next five years to advance engine and transmission development for the North American market.

Most of the positions will be located at the Toyota Technical Center's facilities in Ann Arbor Township and York Township.

The announcement reflects the company's "commitment to localizing vehicle design and development in the North American region," according to a release. Toyota has gradually been shifting resources to the U.S., positioning the Ann Arbor area engineering center for growth.

"The hiring of 150 new engineers this year at TTC gives us renewed confidence that our local operation has the experience and leadership to lead us into the future," said Seiya Nakao, president of TTC, in a release. "We are seeking talented, motivated individuals who thrive on challenges, who are team players and implement improvements in safety, quality and performance."

The release also quoted Gov. Rick Snyder, who said the company’s continued growth in the state “speaks to the high value of Michigan’s greatly improved business climate.”

The news comes a week after an economic forecast conducted by University of Michigan economists predicted Washtenaw County is poised to see job growth in the manufacturing sector in the next three years.

The forecast predicted the county would add more than 11,000 jobs in 2012, 2013 and 2014.

“It just sounds a lot like Ann Arbor,” said George Fulton, who conducted the forecast with Donald Grimes. “You’ve got computer systems design, you’ve got scientific research and development, you have testing labs, you have engineering. That’s where a lot of the growth is going to come from.”

The Toyota Technical Center opened its 155,000-square-foot York Township facility in 2008 after acquiring 690 acres from the state of Michigan in 2005. Toyota built the center specifically so that it could expand if it decides to do so at some point.

“It’s quite a large piece of property that can support future expansion,” said Ed Mantey, a vice president for engineering design at Toyota Technical Center, in September 2011.

The company -- which announced its plans at the New York International Auto Show today -- also announced that it has opened an office in California’s Silicon Valley.

In addition, Toyota unveiled its 2013 Avalon sedan. The car's engineering development was led by empoyees at the Toyota Technical Center, according to a release.

Toyota Motor Corp. is forecasting its 2012 vehicle sales to exceed 14 million, up from a previous forecast of 13.6 million.