Judge Rules Toyota Can Expand Michigan Technical Center

Washington DC January 25, 2006; The AIADA Newsletter reported that “Michigan’s highest court ruled Tuesday that the state could sell a 690-acre plot near Ann Arbor to Toyota, clearing the way for the Japanese automaker to proceed with a $150 million expansion of its technical center,” The Detroit News reports. Toyota is expanding its technical center as a strategy to move some of its vehicle design and engineering functions from Japan to American regional markets. Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm sees Toyota’s investment as a part of her strategy to lure more high-tech automotive operations into the state.