Toyota huge investment in local car industry

Car maker has invested millions of dollars in Australia as it prepares to boost products focused on Aussie drivers and conditions.

Toyota has invested $40 million in a new state of the art Centre of Excellence in Altona, Victoria.

The facility will house design, engineering and vehicle evaluation teams.

Toyota has opened its new $40 million Product Centre as part of the Toyota Centre of Excellence redevelopment of its former manufacturing site at Altona, Victoria.

Toyota Australia’s product teams were responsible for modifying popular local models such as the HiLux Rogue and Rugged X variants.

The two models were adapted to be more capable off-road, with inclusions such as snorkels, bash plates and underbody protection.

Toyota Australia’s product team were responsible for the HiLux Rugged X

Mike Rausa, Toyota Australia’s head of product and aftersales operations believes the new facility will allow the teams to create even more exciting products for Aussie drivers.

“We wanted to retain and build on the capability developed during our long history of vehicle manufacturing, providing a highly collaborative environment that would allow Australian design and engineering expertise and know-how to be used within the broad Toyota family,” says Mr Rausa.

“The new Product Centre delivers just that, keeping jobs, skills and career paths grounded in Australia.”

The articulation test rig at the new centre helps fine tune Toyota’s cars for Aussie conditions.

The latest injection of funds brings the total investment in the Centre of Excellence to $150 million.

Facilities include a hydrogen centre that is responsible for hydrogen production, storage and refuelling. The site can produce up to 80kg of hydrogen a day.

Toyota is one of the world leaders in the development of hydrogen-powered vehicles.

On a recent brief drive of the Toyota Mirai hydrogen car the vehicle used about 1.1kg of hydrogen per 100km and it can hold 5kg for a range of about 500km.

There is also a 1.4km test track to help fine tune vehicles for Australian conditions.

Workers build HiLux Rogue and HiLux Rugged X at the Toyota Conversions production line at the Toyota Centre of Excellence.

It is another sign that the Australian automotive industry is continuing to grow and evolve since the closure of Ford, Holden and Toyota production in the past decade.

Ford Australia is also investing in Australia. It has spent more than $2 billion in the past five years and is responsible for the entire engineering, development and design of the new Ford Ranger ute due next year. Ford employs more than 2500 people, while Toyota has 700 staff.

Originally published as Toyota huge investment in local car industry