Gasgoo.com (Shanghai October 24) - Toyota Motor has announced that its sixth global research and development center, located in Changshu, Jiangsu, has started working, the Beijing Times reported today.

Toyota has invested a total of $689 million into the 2.34 million square meter site. Energy-saving and new energy vehicles are to be the focal point for the R&D center.

Toyota has already begun researching hybrid technology in the country, and has formed several relationships with domestic auto part and resource suppliers. The third-generation Prius (pictured) will be produced in China next year.

On the floor of the opening ceremony, Toyota President and CEO Akio Toyoda said that the new center would coordinate with the manufacturer's two joint ventures FAW Toyota and Guangqi Toyota. According to Mr. Toyoda, the JVs will both begin selling domestically manufactured hybrid vehicles by 2015.