The president of the Toyota Technical Center, which employs about 1,100 workers in York Township and Ann Arbor Township, is getting more influence in the Japanese car manufacturer's operations.

Shigeki Terashi, 57, president of the Toyota Technical Center, was named as the new president of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America Inc., the company announced today. He will continue to serve as president of the Toyota Technical Center.

Workers at the Toyota Technical Center conduct engineering and testing for the company's newest vehicles.

The leadership change comes as the Toyota Technical Center is also launching a $50 million safety technology research initiative.

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