Motorola set to open Israeli R&D site

Following the report a few days ago of plans to manufacture electric cars in Jordan valley, Motorola will be the next to expand its activity in the same area, with a government-backed R&D site that will initially employ 200 engineers and researchers.

Over the next five years, the Israel Investment Center will grant Motorola around $12 million, plus $900 per employees for up to 60 months, for a maximum of 200 employees.

The researchers will be hired over the next three years, to focus on product development for the group's cellphones, computers and software products lines.

Motorola said it is already looking into the possibility of expanding activities at the facility and hire between 300 and 500 engineers within five years.

The company has been operating in Israel since 1964 and currently employs 3,500 across several sites developing a wide range of products and technologies.