Toyota's North American CEO moves office to Ann Arbor area technical center

Toyota’s North American CEO will be based in Michigan for the first time, according to a report in the Detroit News.

Osamu “Simon” Nagata, who will lead the Japanese auto manufacturer's engineering and manufacturing efforts in North America, recently bought a home in Novi and will work out of the Toyota Technical Center in York Township near Saline.

Toyota has been increasing activity at its Michigan centers, including the York Township technical center and a facility in Ann Arbor Township. The 2013 Toyota Avalon was entirely designed and engineered in North America with the bulk of the activity happening in Southeast Michigan.

Additionally, the transmission engineering for the company’s all-electric Rav-4 model was done in Michigan. Over the past two years, Toyota has pledged to invest more than $2 billion in its North American Facilities, according to the News’ story.

The Detroit News reported that previous CEOs of Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing North America Inc. have been based at the company’s headquarters near Los Angeles.

• Read the full story from the Detroit News.

Ben Freed covers business for AnnArbor.com. You can sign up here to receive Business Review updates every week. Get in touch with Ben at 734-623-2528 or email him at benfreed@annarbor.com. Follow him on twitter @BFreedinA2