ANN ARBOR, Mich. (April 5, 2012) – Toyota Technical Center (TTC), a division of Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing, North America, Inc., (TEMA), announced today that the company will hire approximately 150 engineers, technicians, advanced researchers and scientists by the end of 2012. The hiring reinforces Toyota’s commitment to localizing vehicle design and development in the North American region.

Additionally, TTC will add another 100 jobs over the next five years to further advance engine and transmission development for the North American market.

The majority of the new positions will be located at TTC’s two Michigan facilities in Ann Arbor and Saline in the areas of powertrain, mechanical design, electrical engineering, electronics and advanced research. The company’s plans are subject to approval of state and local incentives.

“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. “We are seeking talented, motivated individuals who thrive on challenges, who are team players and implement improvements in safety, quality and performance.”

“The continued growth of Toyota’s R&D operations here only underscores Michigan’s standing as the global center of excellence in automotive engineering, research and technology development,” stated Governor Rick Snyder. “This great news underscores the importance of our missions to meet with business leaders globally and, most of all, speaks to the high value of Michigan’s greatly improved business climate and the increased focus on our state’s strong and talented workforce .”

“Toyota’s announcement to hire 150 new engineering and research staff by the end of the year is a boom to both Toyota and Michigan,” said Congressman John D. Dingell, who represents Ann Arbor and parts of Saline and Livonia. “I commend Toyota, always a great corporate citizen, for its commitment to creating good-paying jobs right here in Southeast Michigan that will draw on the area’s wealth of technical expertise and engineering skill. Toyota’s decision is proof positive that the American automobile market has rebounded and moreover that Michigan will continue to be a wonderful center for advanced manufacturing and superb engineering skills in the future.”

Individuals interested in employment opportunities with TTC and Toyota may apply online at www.toyota.com/about/careers.

For more than 35 years, TTC has been the driving force behind Toyota's North American engineering and research & development activities. Established in 1977 and headquartered in Michigan, TTC has R&D facilities in Ann Arbor, Saline, Plymouth and Livonia. In addition, TTC has R&D facilities in California and operates the Toyota Arizona Proving Ground near Phoenix.

TTC employs over 1,100 team members and is engaged in engineering design, vehicle evaluation and engineering, materials engineering, prototype building, powertrain tuning and design, safety/crashworthiness, regulatory affairs and advanced research. TTC has development responsibilities for the Avalon, Camry, Sienna, Tacoma, Tundra, Venza and RAV4 EV.