Toyo Tire Corporation is investing €29 million in a new research and development (R&D) center in Inđija, which is expected to become its European hub for tire technology development starting in 2027

Inđija, March 19, 2026 – Toyo Tire Corporation marked the beginning of construction of its new R&D Center in Inđija with a formal groundbreaking ceremony, launching a project aimed at strengthening the company’s research and development capabilities in Europe. The facility is scheduled to begin operations in January 2027 and will focus on the development of new technologies and materials for automotive tire manufacturing.

The ceremony was attended by Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, Toyo Tire’s board member and Chief Technology Officer Satoru Moriya, Minister of Internal and External Trade Jagoda Lazarević, Minister of Science, Technological Development and Innovation Bela Balint, President of the Government of Vojvodina Maja Gojković, and a representative of the Embassy of Japan in Serbia, Atsushi Saito, along with officials from the Development Agency of Serbia and the Municipality of Inđija.

Toyo Tire Serbia has been operating in Inđija since 2022, when production began at its tire factory. The plant currently employs 638 workers and produces approximately five million tires annually.

The new R&D center will focus on developing advanced tire technologies and materials to improve efficiency, sustainability, and overall competitiveness. Equipped with modern mixing technology and supported by on-site testing facilities, it will enable faster development and shorter product cycles.

The center will also handle material design, processing technologies, and raw material evaluation, while developing new rubber compounds for the European market. In addition, part of Toyo Tire’s R&D operations will be relocated from Germany to Serbia, further strengthening Inđija’s role within the company’s global network and enhancing collaboration with teams in Japan and the United States.

Corporate Officer Satoru Moriya stated that the start of construction confirms the company’s long-term vision and its trust in Serbia as a strategic partner, as well as symbolizing cooperation between Serbia and Japan. He emphasized that the project will have a significant technological and developmental impact, particularly in human resources, and invited local experts to join the center.

Atsushi Saito, representative of the Embassy of Japan in Serbia, noted that Serbia offers strong potential for educating and retaining highly qualified professionals in science and engineering. He highlighted that, due to its geographic position and socio-economic conditions, skilled engineers tend to remain in the country, ensuring a stable workforce for investors.

President Aleksandar Vučić stated that the laying of the foundation stone represents a shared vision for the future of Serbia and Japan. He recalled that Toyo Tire began operations in Serbia in 2019 with its first European production facility and has since evolved into a regional R&D hub.

“This act lays not only the foundation stone of a building, but also the foundation of a partnership based on mutual respect and a shared determination to build the future,” Vučić said.

He added that Serbia is proud of every investment project, especially Japanese investments that confirm the country’s strategic importance as a business and development destination. Toyo Tire Serbia currently employs 638 people, with total investments nearing €383 million and revenues exceeding €165 million in 2024.

The groundbreaking ceremony was symbolically marked by painting a Daruma doll and placing a time capsule in the foundations of the future center.

Photo: TANJUG / JADRANKA ILIĆ

About Toyo Tire Corporation

Founded in 1945 in Japan, Toyo Tire Corporation is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of automotive tires, industrial rubber, and polyurethane products. Its operations are based on two core segments: tire manufacturing and automotive components.

The company’s portfolio includes a wide range of products, from high-performance and motorsport tires to SUV tires, marketed under the Toyo Tires and Nitto brands.

According to its 2025 financial report, Toyo Tire recorded annual net sales of approximately €4 billion and employed more than 11,200 people worldwide at the end of 2024. Its production facilities are located in Japan, Malaysia, China, the United States, and Serbia, along with automotive parts plants in Japan, the U.S., and Thailand.