Toyota to Establish New R&D Facility in India by 2027
Toyota plans to establish a new R&D facility in India by 2027, creating 2,000 jobs initially and expanding to 3,000 engineers over two years. Located in Bengaluru, this center will focus on the Indian market initially but aims for global reach, particularly in regions like East Asia and Oceania. The partnership with Suzuki will enhance innovation in electric vehicles.
In a significant development for the Indian automotive sector, Toyota has confirmed plans to establish a new Research and Development (R&D) facility in India by 2027. This initiative will be executed through Toyota’s Indian subsidiary, which has been a key player in the market for over 25 years. The facility will be situated in Bengaluru, in close proximity to Toyota’s manufacturing plant in Bidadi.
According to reports from Bloomberg, this new R&D center will mark Toyota’s third such establishment in the Asia-Pacific region, following similar facilities in Thailand and China. The center is expected to create approximately 2,000 jobs, with plans to increase operations by recruiting an additional 3,000 engineers over the next two years, thus significantly contributing to local employment.
Initially, the R&D center will address the specific needs of the Indian automotive market; however, the facility’s scope will expand to target global automotive requirements. This strategic move may position India as a pivotal hub for Toyota’s R&D and manufacturing operations, focusing on model development for diverse regions, including the Middle East, East Asia, and Oceania.
Furthermore, Toyota is set to evaluate Suzuki’s R&D efforts in Rohtak, a prominent automotive engineering hub in India with an approximate workforce of 3,000. The partnership between Toyota and Suzuki has proven beneficial, allowing for shared platforms and components that have led to successful models such as the Toyota Urban Cruiser HyRyder and the Maruti Grand Vitara.
Toyota’s previous contemplation of an R&D center in India dates back to 2010. Presently, the company aims to strengthen its collaboration with Suzuki to enhance R&D and product development, particularly for electric vehicles in India. Toyota holds a 5.4 percent stake in Suzuki, indicative of their cooperative strategy.
As part of this endeavor, Maruti Suzuki is preparing to release the e Vitara, its first electric vehicle in India, in the upcoming weeks. Concurrently, Toyota has introduced its variant of this model, the Urban Cruiser EV, which was revealed last year. Both vehicles will be produced at Suzuki’s Gujarat plant and are slated for export to various international markets.
In summary, Toyota’s establishment of an R&D facility in India by 2027 signifies a pivotal enhancement for the Indian automotive industry. This center aims to create substantial employment opportunities while focusing on local and global market requirements. The strengthened partnership with Suzuki will further integrate electric vehicle development, promoting innovation in the automotive sector.
Original Source: www.financialexpress.com
