Toyota planning R&D center in China

The world's largest carmaker Toyota Motor Corp is planning to strengthen its research and development capabilities in China to provide better services and cash in on the booming local demand.

Japan's Nikkei business daily reported yesterday that the company plans to spend 30 to 40 billion yen ($330 to 440 million) to establish a research and development center in China as early as next year.

The newspaper also said that the center, with a full-scale test course, would be set up in Shanghai.