Toyota Motor Corp. said Wednesday it has completed the expansion of its research and development center in Belgium, part of its continuing localization of European design and engineering operations to better meet customer needs in Europe.
Capping off an effort that began in early 2004, the newly expanded Toyota Motor Europe SA/NV Technical Center in Zaventem near Brussels has nearly 2 1/2 times more floor space, greatly enlarging both its office and research facilities, the automaker said in a news release.
The expansion -- aimed at strengthening Toyota's product-development competitiveness in the diversifying European market -- means the center will now handle body engineering for all Toyota models to be produced in Europe, as well as diesel engine evaluation for all Toyota models to be sold there, it said.
The expansion represents Toyota's additional 75 million euro investment in the center.