Friday, December 08, 2006

Michigan has a strong chance of landing new Toyota plant

Remember this story?



Toyota is expected to say in the next 90-days where it will build a new engine plant in the United States.



Analysts say Michigan has a strong chance of getting it. Several states and a Canadian Province are also in the running.



However, the local auto analysis group IRN says two Michigan sites - Battle Creek and Schoolcraft south of Kalamazoo are strong contenders for attracting Toyota.



Analysts say the cities offer something different from Michigan's traditional auto center.



Erich Merkle is IRN's Director of Forecasting, "It would be much more like the areas where they've located in Indiana. It's not the east side of the state. It's not the old-line, industrial kind of area. Toyota has definitely favored the more rural, small communities."


IRN is located right here in Grand Rapids.



Keep your fingers crossed.