P.M. BRIEFING : Toyota Putting $17-Million Into Newport Beach Design Center

Toyota Motor Corp., Japan’s top auto maker, said today it will invest $17 million to expand its U.S.-based automotive design center in Newport Beach, Calif.

The company said the project is part of a three-phase, $144-million effort to bolster its vehicle sales, distribution, product research and development capabilities in the United States.

The company said plans call for construction of an 85,400-square-foot research and design building adjacent to the existing facilities of the center, Calty Design Research Inc.

The new facilities will be used to develop advanced design proposals for future products and to do research on North American life styles and trends, the company said.

When the expansion project is completed in January, 1991, about 60 workers will be employed, the company said.