Fuel Economy Focus of Toyota R&D

TOKYO – If history is an indicator, don’t expect Toyota Motor Corp. to slash research and development spending in the current business environment.

There may be cuts around the edges as the auto maker adjusts to changes in the marketplace including tighter money and unstable fuel prices, but basic priorities will remain the same.

And the biggest of those priorities, according to Toyota Executive Vice President Masatami Takimoto, is the environment.

Takimoto, ...