Hyundai is to establish a Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) at its Michigan R&D center, the Hyundai America Technical Center (HATCI). The new facility will augment existing safety testing and analysis operations already underway.
A field crash investigation lab, high voltage battery lab, forensics lab, 500m track and a Vehicle Dynamics Area (VDA) pad is scheduled to be operational by autumn 2023. Investment in the facility will run to over US$50m.
“We are proud to expand upon our ‘safety first’ commitment by developing a new Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL),” said Brian Latouf, chief safety officer, 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.”
Hyundai says it recognizes the value and importance of enhancing its hands-on safety evaluation processes. The STIL will enable it to analyze field data, understand the root cause of issues and quickly take action to ensure vehicle safety. The STIL was developed in collaboration with the US National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) based on a 2020 Consent Order.
“Hyundai America Technical Center (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,” concluded John Robb, president, 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.”
