ANN ARBOR, Michigan — In York Township in southeastern Michigan, about a half-hour's drive from the world headquarters of troubled General Motors and Ford, Toyota opened its new technical center late last week for a grand opening celebration.In the midst of global economic uproar, this was perhaps a uniquely poignant moment to have a party for a new development project. At the celebration, Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm said, 'We are here to raise a glass to' Toyota's center, calling it a 'celebration of investment and jobs in Michigan.'The new 700-acre tech center, with 500 employees, will handle vehicle engineering and development and safety testing. It will also be a site for cooperative work with suppliers in what is called the 'design in' center format. This center, along with the Japanese automaker's existing R&D center in Ann Arbor Township, will employ some 1,100 people in the area by decade's end.Toyota Motor Corp. Senior Managing Director Yasuhiko Ichihashi, quoted by the Detroit Free Press on Friday, noted that 'Since 1972, Toyota has grown step by step in Michigan.'Inside Line says: An automaker expands in Michigan, and that's good news in any economic situation. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent