Toyota Strengthens European Design Capability
Design Center to be Established in France

Tokyo―TOYOTA MOTOR CORPORATION announced today that it will establish a new design center as a local corporation in the Cote d'Azur, France. The company plans to start construction by the end of this year, and commence operations by the beginning of the year 2000.

Toyota's global design development organization―centered around the Design Division in Toyota City―links Japan, Europe, and North America, while simultaneously suiting the characteristics of each region. The new design center is being established to further augment design development functions in Europe, as a part of regional production and sales expansion plan.

The design functions of the Europe Office of Creation (EPOC), currently part of N.V. Toyota Motor Europe Marketing & Engineering S.A. (head office: Belgium), will be integrated into the new French design center.