Daihatsu to Move Powertrain R&D Work

Toyota Motor Corp.'s Daihatsu minivehicle unit plans to relocate its powertrain development operations in 2014 from its main plant near Osaka in south central Japan to its engine factory on the southern island of Kyushu, The Nikkei reports.

Daihatsu will spend 10 billion yen ($126 million) to build a new research facility and adjoining road test course, according to the Tokyo-based newspaper. It says the company aims to cut costs and speed engine and transmission development by locating engineers at the manufacturing site.

Daihatsu will initially transfer about 50 engineers to the new tech center, The Nikkei reports. But many of Daihatsu's 3,000 engineers could eventually move there. The newspaper says the center may expand to include body structure development.