SUPERIOR TWP., Jan. 11, 2012 — Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) today announced it will further its commitment to the State of Michigan and Washtenaw County by building a world-class Hot/Cold Weather Dynamometer Test facility at its Superior Township location, just south of Ann Arbor, MI.
Hyundai will invest $15 million to construct the testing laboratory, along with other upgrades at the six-year-old technical facility. In addition, the company will add 50 full-time jobs at the location over the next three years. The State of Michigan has committed to funding, subject to approval of the Michigan Strategic Fund, construction of a new electricity substation at the Superior Township location that will improve the power output to the property.
“This investment and promise of a Hot/Cold Weather Testing facility in Michigan reinforces Hyundai and Kia’s commitment to U.S. vehicle development and American jobs,” said Dr. Cho, president, HATCI. “Investing in our locations, products and people is critical to Hyundai and Kia’s ability to compete with the best in the business. Hyundai and Kia are committed to doing everything it takes to work with its partners, including the State of Michigan, to be competitive in the marketplace.”
Hyundai is the current leader in Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) and the new Hot/Cold Climate Weather facility will allow engineers to perform the EPA SC03 Supplemental Federal Test Procedure (SFTP) with air-conditioning and the cold FTP. The SC03 test is conducted at 95 degrees F and the cold FTP test is conducted at 20 degrees F. The new Hyundai facility will be able to reach temperatures of -40 degrees F to more than 245 degrees F. Vehicles must sit (soak) for a period of time at the controlled ambient temperature before dynamometer emissions testing can be performed. This will happen inside the weather chambers that Hyundai is constructing. Currently, Hyundai and the EPA are contracting these very expensive tests out. The EPA is also constructing a new testing facility that will test vehicles running on alternative fuels.
“Hyundai’s investment and growing presence here demonstrates Michigan’s singular leadership in industrial engineering, research, design and technological innovation,” said Governor Rick Snyder. “I was pleased to meet with the Hyundai’s most senior leadership in Korea and celebrate today’s announcement as an endorsement of all that our state can offer for a world-class company.”
In planning to secure Hyundai and Kia’s future vehicle development presence in the state, Hyundai worked closely with Michigan Governor Rick Snyder, the Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC), Superior Township and Ann Arbor SPARK.
The Hyundai America Technical Center Superior Township location opened in 2005 and has approximately 170 employees.
