Hyundai Invests $50M for New Safety Lab Near Ann Arbor

Hyundai Motor America announced an investment totaling $50 million to establish a Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) at the Hyundai America Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) in Superior Charter Township, near Ann Arbor.
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Hyundai Motor America announced an investment totaling $50 million to build a Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory at its technical center in Superior Charter Township near Ann Arbor. // Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America
Hyundai Motor America announced an investment totaling $50 million to build a Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory at its technical center in Superior Charter Township near Ann Arbor. // Courtesy of Hyundai Motor America

Hyundai Motor America announced an investment totaling $50 million to establish a Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) at the Hyundai America Technical Center Inc. (HATCI) in Superior Charter Township, near Ann Arbor.

The investment is focused on enhancing Hyundai’s safety commitment in identifying vehicle field issues, preventing crashes, and keeping passengers safe.

The new facility will further augment existing safety testing and analysis. A field crash investigation lab, high voltage battery lab, forensics lab, 500-meter track, and a Vehicle Dynamics Area (VDA) pad is scheduled to be operational fall of 2023.

“We are proud to expand upon our ‘safety first’ commitment by developing a new STIL,” says Brian Latouf, chief safety officer of Hyundai Motor North America. “With the added testing and investigation capabilities of the STIL, we will better understand customer vehicle issues, identify and address defects and analyze vehicle systems more efficiently with our own, on-site laboratory.

“The access to real-world data will help accelerate our pursuit of a best-in-class safety office and enable effective safety technologies to help protect our customers and their families.”

The STIL will enable Hyundai to analyze field data, understand the root cause of issues, and quickly take action to ensure vehicle safety. It was developed in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) based on a 2020 Consent Order. Hyundai increased its required investment by $26 million. Approximately 150 jobs are planned to support the facility.

“HATCI is excited to collaborate with Hyundai Motor North America (HMNA) on a state-of-the art safety test laboratory at our Michigan R&D campus,” says John Robb, president of HATCI. “Having on-site access to perform real-world evaluations further enhances our safety commitment to our customers and emphasizes our commitment to the region.”

As one of Hyundai Motor Group’s HMG six centers focused on research and development, HATCI was established in 1986. It has since grown to include a network of engineering disciplines and increased business-focused activities.