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62 TOYOTA •Annual Report 2008 •
Toyota R&D is dedicated to the development of attractive, affordable, high-quality products for customers
worldwide, and the intellectual property that R&D generates is a vital management resource that Toyota utilizes
and protects to maximize its corporate value.
R&D and Intellectual Property
Management & Corporate Information
»R&D Activities
The overriding goal of Toyota’s product and technology
development is to minimize the negative aspects of driving,
such as the burden it places on the environment and traffic
accidents, and maximize the positive aspects, such as
driving pleasure, comfort, and convenience. By achieving
these sometimes conflicting goals to a high degree, we
want to open the door to the automobile society of the
future.
To assure efficient progress in R&D activities, we
coordinate and integrate all phases, from basic research to
forward-looking technology and product development.
With respect to basic research issues such as energy, the
environment, information technology, telecommunications,
and materials, projects are regularly reviewed and evaluated
in consultation with outside experts to ensure efficient R&D
cost control. And with respect to forward-looking and
leading-edge technology and product development, we
establish cost-performance benchmarks on a project-by-
project basis to ensure efficient development investment.
R&D Guiding Principle
•Providing clean and safe products and to enhance
the quality of life of people everywhere in all our
activities.
•Pursuing advanced technological development in
a wide range of fields, we pledge to provide
attractive products and services that respond to
the needs of customers worldwide.
Head Office Technical
Center (Toyota City, Aichi
Prefecture, Japan)
Toyota Motor Engineering &
Manufacturing North
America, Inc. (Ann Arbor,
Michigan, U.S.A.)
Toyota Motor Europe R&D/
Manufacturing (Brussels,
Belgium; Derby, U.K.)
Toyota Motor Asia Pacific
Engineering and
Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
(Samutprakan, Thailand)
R&D Facilities
’04 ’05 ’06 ’07 ’08
0
400
200
600
1,000
800
958.8
(¥ Billion)
FY
R&D Expenses
Note: Fiscal years ended March 31
Basic Research Development theme discovery
Research on basic vehicle-related technology
Forward-Looking Technological breakthroughs related to
and Leading- components and systems
Edge Technology Development of leading-edge components and
Development systems ahead of competitors
Product Primary responsibility for new model
Development development
Development of all-new models and existing-
model upgrades