In Japan, Toyota Motor Kyushu, Inc. has begun full-scale operations at its engine factory, and
Toyota Motor Tohoku Co., Ltd. has increased its manufacturing capacity.
In human resources development sector, following the establishment of the Asia Pacific
Global Production Center in Thailand in August 2005, Toyota has established the North
American Production Center in the U.S. in February 2006, and the European Global Production
Center in the United Kingdom in March 2006. Established as branches of the Global Production
Center in Japan, these were created to spread Toyota’s manufacturing knowledge and skills
throughout the world in pace with the rapid growth of Toyota’s overseas manufacturing.
In R&D side, Toyota has focused its efforts on three key areas: environment, safety, and
energy. It has made a special effort in the area of the environment by expanding its lineup of
hybrid vehicles, and has worked on R&D relating to plug-in hybrid. In addition, as part of
Toyota’s efforts to respond to the diversification of energy, in 2007 Toyota has introduced a flex
fuel vehicle in the Brazilian market that will run on 100% bio-ethanol fuel. From this point on,
based on the philosophy of providing “the right car, in the right place, at the right time,” and in
accordance with the infrastructure and customer needs of each region, Toyota is striving for
promoting efforts to develop environmentally friendly technology and vehicles