Saline, Michigan – October 01, 2026 -- Toyota Motor North America has opened a 30,000-square-foot Battery Center of North America (TBC) in Saline, Michigan, expanding its capacity to test and develop battery technology across the full production cycle, from raw-material sourcing to recycling.
Facility centralizes battery evaluation for Toyota's North American manufacturing network
TBC will support battery evaluation for Toyota Battery Manufacturing, North Carolina, as well as Toyota's vehicle assembly plants across North America. The center houses engineering and technician teams tasked with assessing battery performance for hybrid, plug-in hybrid, hydrogen, and fully electric vehicle platforms, reflecting Toyota's multi-pathway approach to electrification rather than a single-technology bet.
Michigan governor frames the opening as a win for state manufacturing jobs
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer said the facility "positions Michigan as the best place to build the future," tying the investment to a broader wave of battery and chip projects opening across the state. The opening marks a new milestone in Toyota's more than 50-year operating history in Michigan.
Toyota links the center to faster field-issue resolution and longer battery life
Jordan Choby, Group Vice President of Powertrain, said the facility allows engineers to "detect and resolve field concerns faster and closer to the source" and to develop batteries built to withstand conditions specific to American drivers. Keita Moritsu, Senior Vice President and Chief Technology Officer of Toyota Motor North America R&D, said the center extends Toyota's battery-development leadership into North America.
Research access opens to University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center partners
Toyota will share TBC's testing and evaluation capabilities with the University of Michigan Electric Vehicle Center, where Toyota is a founding member. The arrangement extends access to outside research partners and is tied to Toyota's effort to train battery engineers and technicians in Michigan.