#USA #Toyota #Electrification #Saline #Battery Center

Toyota Unveils the Battery Center of North America

On October 1, 2026, Toyota officially opened its Battery Center of North America (TBC) at its R&D campus in Saline, Michigan. This state-of-the-art facility marks a significant milestone in Toyota's journey towards electrification. The center is poised to improve the research and evaluation of battery technology, covering the entire battery lifecycle, from raw material sourcing to customer applications and recycling.

Advancing Battery Technology

Keita Moritsu, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer at Toyota Motor North America, expressed excitement about the center, stating, "Toyota has long been at the forefront of battery development. This center extends that leadership into North America, where we are writing the next chapter of innovation."

Spanning over 30,000 square feet, TBC acts as a nerve center for battery development and evaluation, fostering collaboration with Toyota’s manufacturing network across North America. The center will support battery assessment operations for both Toyota Battery Manufacturing in North Carolina and various vehicle manufacturing plants across the continent.

A Winning Move for Michigan

Governor Gretchen Whitmer hailed the inauguration as a significant achievement for Michigan's advanced automotive manufacturing sector. "Today is a big win for Michigan's leadership in the automotive industry," Whitmer stated. "We are proud to welcome this Toyota investment that positions Michigan as the best place to build the future. These cutting-edge facilities will develop, test, and improve batteries that power the next generation of vehicles."

The establishment of TBC also symbolizes over 50 years of Toyota's commitment to Michigan, enhancing the state’s footprint in the electric vehicle market. The center embodies Toyota's multi-pathway strategy, enabling the company to offer a wide array of sustainable mobility solutions.

Hands-On Development and Faster Solutions

At TBC, teams of engineers and technicians focus on evaluating battery performance and advancing new technologies for use in hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and fully electric vehicles. Jordan Choby, Vice President of the Powertrain group, remarked that the facility allows Toyota engineers to identify and solve real-time field issues more rapidly and in proximity to the source. This capability will lead to the development of more durable batteries designed to withstand the everyday conditions faced by American drivers.

Collaborating on Future Technology

In a move to foster academic collaboration, Toyota plans to open the facility for research partnerships with the Electric Vehicle Center at the University of Michigan. This initiative will benefit other research partners with TBC’s groundbreaking testing and evaluation capabilities. As a founding member of the Electric Vehicle Center, Toyota is committed to training the next generation of battery engineers and technicians in Michigan.

Ongoing Commitment to Innovation

For over 50 years, Toyota Motor North America Research and Development (TMNA R&D) has been involved in engineering projects for many of Toyota's best-selling vehicles in the US. Located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, TMNA R&D is dedicated to the company's mission of "delivering happiness for all" by making lives safer, easier, and more enjoyable. The new Battery Center exemplifies this mission by investing in cutting-edge technologies to propel the automotive industry into a more sustainable future.

As the automotive landscape evolves towards greater electrification, Toyota's Battery Center of North America stands as a testament to the company’s commitment to innovation and collaboration in the pursuit of advanced battery technology, ensuring a greener future for generations to come.