At a time when the American auto companies seem to be closing up shop left and right in Michigan, perhaps then it is the foreign auto company that will keep Michigan’s automotive industry alive. Toyota recently announced the establishment of the Toyota Research Institute of North America, to be based at their existing facilities in Ann Arbor. In close partnership with the University of Michigan, Toyota will pump an additional $100 million into the facility over 4 years and create an additional 30 jobs during this period as well. If we were to treat the funds spent strictly in terms of support/income for the incoming workers, we’re talking about spending over $3 million a job. Craziness! While Michigan is known as the manufacturing center of the auto industry, with the infrastructure and connections already in place, maybe we will soon become the R&D mecca of the auto industry as well.

Image used taken by Flickr user Tom Olliver under a Creative Commons License.