The japanese car maker announces the expansion of R&D facilities at Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing. The company plans the construction of a new laboratory, the creation of a battery evaluation and test facility, as well as improvements to test tracks on the premises. These are scheduled to be completed from late 2018 onwards.

This decision is motivated by the Chinese government Energy-Saving and New Energy Automotive Industry Development Plan, in order to develop eco-cars. In line with this plan, Toyota is planning the introduction of plug-in hybrids, in addition to its current effort to promote the wider use of hybrid vehicles.

Additionally, preparations are underway to begin demonstration tests for fuel cell vehicles in China, and to conduct research for the introduction of electric vehicles into the China market. Amid the growing intensity of competition in the Chinese market and the increasingly stringent regulations in relation to motor vehicles, Toyota intends to continue with the emphasis on the making of ever-better cars through the further expansion of TMEC’s R&D facilities, and the reinforcement of its technological development capability.