| Earlier, the AIADA newsletter reported that Jim Press, | | | | "We just continue to focus on how you can give |
| the president of Toyota Motor North America Inc., said | | | | better customer satisfaction, how you build better |
| that Michigan will continue to play a central role in the | | | | loyalty, how you can get better products to the |
| transformation that is taking place in the global | | | | customers," Press said during an informal gathering at |
| automotive industry. | | | | the Detroit Athletic Club today. "If there are some |
| Press added that the industry is in the midst of a | | | | other companies that haven't been able to focus as |
| technological shift as automakers, governments, and | | | | we have on products and customer satisfaction, |
| private citizens work to reduce the impact of the | | | | they're going through the adjustments now so they |
| automobile on the environment and reduce this nation's | | | | can." |
| dependency on foreign oil. He was also quoted saying: | | | | Press named General Motors Corp. and the Ford |
| "The intellectual energy for this transition in technology | | | | Motor Co. as two that fall into that camp, along with |
| -- this new era of automobiles -- is really here. It's here | | | | Germany's Volkswagen AG. "It's a tough business," he |
| in Michigan." | | | | noted. "They're taking the right actions." |
| Apparently, the automaker is investing heavily in its | | | | Toyota is not unconcerned about the impact problems |
| new research and development center in York | | | | at the traditional Big Three have on how it is perceived |
| Township. The facility, which is now under construction | | | | in the U.S. marketplace, or on Capitol Hill, Press said. |
| in south of Ann Harbor, is said to augment | | | | “We're always mindful of the consequences of a |
| Toyota’s technical center in the city. The facility will | | | | couple companies not performing well," he emphasized, |
| also require the widening of the company’s | | | | but added that he does not expect a return to the |
| workforce. Additionally, it is expected to more than | | | | protectionism of the past. |
| double Toyota’s employment. The automaker plans | | | | The automaker has already attained ideal standing in |
| to employ about 1,200 workers to work in the $187 | | | | the hybrid technology. The use of Vibrant cold air |
| million-worth complex. Most of them will be high-paid | | | | intake, high-performance engines, sophisticated |
| engineers. However, Toyota said the number could | | | | radiators, wheels and other auto parts is not enough |
| grow even bigger over time. | | | | for the automaker. It continues to unravel different |
| Separately, Toyota is standing by its philosophy that | | | | technologies to further the overall appeal of its lineup. |
| focuses on making cars that customers want. The | | | | Toyota's sales rose by about 13 percent in 2006. The |
| automaker earlier said that it is not trying to unseat any | | | | figure gives the Japanese manufacturer 15 percent of |
| of the Detroit-based automakers, but is merely making | | | | the domestic market to oust DaimlerChrysler AG's |
| cars and trucks that people want to buy. | | | | Chrysler Group from the number three slot in the |
| Press suggested some of the American car | | | | United States. |
| companies lost sight of that mission in recent years. | | | | |