2016 Toyota Tacoma Pick-up Truck Developed In Ann Arbor; Japanese Automaker Moves R&D Hub In Michigan
The 2016 Tacoma pick-up truck underwent a massive overhaul to deliver consumer satisfaction, and most of the development ocured in the Ann Arbor Toyota Technical Center.
According to autonews.com, the Ann Arbor Toyota Technical Center "leads development" of the Japanese automaker's prominent mid-sized pick-up, the Avalon sedan and the Tundra. However, the center still depends on Japan for engines.
Reportedly, this goes with Toyota Motor Corporation's plan of bringing a "self-sufficient product development center outside Japan."
The Japanese automaker is consolidating its research and development hub in the US. The change is said to bring "most of the company's regional development functions" to the Ann Arbor Toyota Technical Center in Michigan thus making it the regional hub for product development.
"We are putting all the pieces of the puzzle together to conduct start-to-finish vehicle development in North America, everything in one region," said Bruce Brownlee, top spokesman of the Ann Arbor Toyota Technical Center. "The biggest advantage is the synergies that will come from having it all within very close proximity."
This plan might be helpful for Toyota to stay competitive given that the 2016 Tacoma pick-up is facing competition with the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon.
Meanwhile, a previous report noted Toyota's confidence about being the top-selling truck in the mid-sized pick-up sector. The company targets to surpass its US sales where the bulk of profits are expected to come from the redesigned 2016 Toyota Tacoma pickup truck.
"Dealers are real excited about the truck, but they need more of them," Bob Carter, Toyota's senior vice president of automotive operations, said.
The 2016 Toyota Tacoma pick-up boasts of an all-new 3.5L V6 engine with direct injection and 6-speed transmission. NY Daily News noted its "rugged features" such as Crawl Control (CRAWL) and multi-terrain select which "monitors braking and wheel spin based on whether you're traversing mud, rocks, or sand."
