Gary Lan, CEO of Chery International UK and vice president of the right-hand-drive division at Chery International, said, “The establishment of our UK R&D Centre of Excellence is the next step in our long-term plan for the UK. We waited over 20 years for the right time to enter this market, and our ambition has always gone much further than simply bringing vehicles here.

“UTAC Millbrook allows us to turn UK customer insight into product development, from ride and steering to active safety systems. It is another step in our long-term investment in the UK, and its work will become part of Chery Automobile’s wider global R&D activities.”

The selection of UTAC Millbrook builds on Chery Automobile’s existing relationship with UTAC Group, including a homologation joint venture established in 2024 and use of the Linas-Montlhéry facility in France for active and passive safety testing and homologation.

At UTAC Millbrook, Chery Automobile’s engineering teams will have access to more than 70km of purpose-built test tracks, including the Hill Route, Alpine Circuit and specialized durability and NVH surfaces, alongside battery testing laboratories, powertrain testing facilities, semi-anechoic chambers, and ADAS and autonomous vehicle testing capabilities.

Kirsty Andrew, vice president of UTAC UK, said, “The decision by Chery Automobile to establish its UK R&D Centre of Excellence at UTAC Millbrook is a significant commitment to engineering and vehicle development in the UK.

“Creating a standalone engineering center here means Chery Automobile can develop and validate vehicles against the particular demands of UK roads and UK drivers, with direct access to our engineering expertise and testing environments throughout that process. This is about much more than testing individual vehicles. We see this as the sustained momentum of a long-term engineering relationship with Chery Automobile, and we look forward to supporting the team as its capability and development activity at Millbrook grow.”

In recent news, the hydrogen powertrain technology behind the JCB Hydromax world land speed record

The report demonstrates how the company is embedding sustainability into its strategy and decision-making, while delivering innovative products and solutions that are designed to help customers enhance efficiency, reduce emissions and navigate an increasingly diverse mobility landscape.

Lower-carbon and zero-carbon innovation

Phinia has dedicated approximately 85% of R&D investment to technologies that enhance fuel efficiency and support alternative fuels. The company also achieved TÜV Süd certification in Germany for hydrogen internal combustion engine (H2 ICE) retrofit technology, creating a pathway for commercial deployment.

Circular economy and remanufacturing effectiveness

The company has expanded lifecycle assessment training and capabilities through its Design for Environment program to support product-level sustainability improvements and greater consideration of end-of-life impacts during development. At its largest remanufacturing facility, 63% of manufactured material is now reused, up from 52% in 2024; a further 93% of the remaining material is recycled.

Operational efficiencies and emissions reductions

Scope 1 and 2 GHG emissions intensity has fallen by 35% compared with 2024, driven by lower energy consumption, reduced natural gas use and increased procurement of green energy.

Reporting and risk assessment enhancements

The company completed the first enterprise-wide double materiality assessment, alongside climate, nature and legal and compliance risk assessments, to support sustainability reporting and strategic decision-making.

Responsible supply chain collaboration

Sustainability factors have been integrated into supplier risk management, sourcing decisions and risk mapping. More than 50 suppliers were recognized through the Phinia Partnership Program (3P) for performance, collaboration and sustainability alignment.

“Our 2025 Sustainability Report demonstrates how sustainability is embedded in the way Phinia innovates, operates and creates long-term value for our stakeholders,” said Brady Ericson, president and chief executive officer at Phinia. “From advancing lower-carbon and zero-carbon alternative-fuel technologies to expanding circular economy principles, we are delivering practical solutions that help our customers improve efficiency, expand fuel choice and reduce emissions today. We also made great progress across our people and operations by reducing our environmental footprint, investing in our employees, and strengthening responsible business practices. With disciplined execution and sound governance, we are building a more resilient Phinia while driving a more sustainable future.”

In related news, how modular testing is supporting the shift to hydrogen, methanol and ammonia

The new site in Ilava has created 100 jobs and will increase production of the Terrastorm and Praetorian ranges. It also strengthens the ability of Torsus to develop and manufacture specialist vehicles for mining, energy, emergency response, construction, government and remote industrial operations.

Torsus founder and CEO Vakhtang Dzhukashvili stated, “Slovakia gives Torsus access to exceptional automotive engineering expertise, a strong supplier network and an ideal location from which to serve customers around the world.”

Together with the company’s existing pre-assembly operation in Horné Srnie, Ilava gives Torsus a combined manufacturing footprint of 9,420m² and a Slovak production team of more than 150 people.

The Ilava facility brings together digital engineering, prototyping, specialist metal fabrication, vehicle assembly, quality control and parts fulfillment. The expanded operation provides annual production capacity for up to 200 Terrastorm and 50 Praetorian vehicles, with multiple models and customer projects able to progress through production simultaneously.

Dzhukashvili explained, “The new Ilava facility gives our teams more space, greater production capacity and the tools to move faster from digital design to prototype and finished vehicle.”

From digital design to working vehicle

At the center of the facility is the Torsus Digital R&D Centre, where engineers develop vehicle systems, specialist conversions and customer-specific equipment.

Advanced CAD software, including SolidWorks and Plasticity, allows the team to create detailed three-dimensional models of components, assemblies and complete vehicle systems before production begins.

According to Torsus, in-house 3D printing accelerates the development of customized parts, enclosures, interfaces and mounting systems. Engineers can reportedly move quickly from a digital concept to a physical prototype, assess it on the vehicle and make changes without waiting for conventional external tooling.

A dedicated prototyping area, separate vehicle lift and specialist engineering workstations allow development work to continue alongside regular vehicle production.

4×4 HD built for tough conditions

A major focus of Torsus’s engineering operation is its heavy-duty 4×4 HD system for specialist commercial vehicles with a gross vehicle weight of up to 5.5 metric tons.

The system combines low-range gearing with locking differentials, reportedly giving operators greater traction, torque control and low-speed maneuverability across steep gradients, mud, loose surfaces, cross-axle obstacles and broken terrain.

The drivetrain is engineered alongside reinforced suspension, underbody protection, drivetrain breathers, electronics and customer equipment. Vehicle weight, axle loading, center of gravity and suspension behavior are assessed to ensure the completed vehicle remains stable and controllable under full-load off-road conditions.

Dzhukashvili added, “Our customers operate in environments where traction, durability and reliability are essential. Expanding our engineering and manufacturing capabilities means we can deliver more Terrastorm and Praetorian vehicles, support increasingly specialized applications and maintain the quality expected from every Torsus.”

In related news, rigorous RAM-D program at military facility validates Torsus Terrastorm 4×4 HD

Through the program, selected companies may receive funding ranging from US$25,000 to US$250,000 to support deployments on Curiosity Lab’s autonomous mobility route in Peachtree Corners in the US state of Georgia. The program is designed for companies with technology that is ready to move beyond the lab, beyond the closed course, and into live operating conditions.

Curiosity Lab is a living laboratory for place-based deployment in metro Atlanta, built to help companies test next-generation technologies in an active city environment. The autonomous mobility route includes a nearly four-mile smart mobility loop along Technology Parkway and State Route 141, with dedicated autonomous vehicle lane segments, shared and mixed-traffic roadway, enhanced sidewalks, rights-of-way, smart city infrastructure and real destinations throughout the corridor.

The test lab recreates a real city environment with active traffic, intersections, sidewalks, business entrances, commercial activity and public infrastructure. For autonomous mobility companies, it creates an opportunity to validate technology in the kinds of conditions that matter for commercialization, customer adoption and scale.

Curiosity Lab is looking for growth-stage companies and innovation teams working on autonomous mobility technologies, including autonomous passenger shuttles, low- or high-speed autonomous vehicles, autonomous delivery vehicles, sidewalk or curbside delivery robots, autonomous logistics and last-mile mobility systems and robotic mobility systems.

Applications must be submitted by 11:59pm Eastern Time on July 24, 2026. Selected projects will take place in Peachtree Corners between October 1, 2026, and September 30, 2027.

Related news, Hydrogen-powered JCB Hydromax completes UK testing

The 9,460ft2  site at Book End merges Nio’s former UK facilities at Begbroke Science Park and Bicester Motion into a single unit, comprising a dedicated CAE workspace and vehicle laboratory. The R&D center will support closer collaboration across the UK team and provide a more spacious and efficient base for future vehicle development work as the Chinese auto maker marks 10 years of R&D in the UK.

Danilo Teobaldi, principal chief engineer, Nio, said, “Bringing our virtual and physical UK engineering teams together in Witney will accelerate the development of innovations that improve the user experience. With new facilities, we can ensure Nio’s UK-based team continues to pioneer in areas such as class-leading Euro NCAP results for all three group brands, along with smart chassis system solutions for our global platforms.”

Ten years of innovation

In 2016, Nio established its global R&D center for performance and advanced concept engineering in Oxfordshire. Over the past decade, the operation has supported its global vehicle development programs, from the EP9 electric supercar launched in 2016, through to the Nio ET9, its smart executive flagship EV. Its engineers in the UK have also worked on the development of Nio’s third brand, Firefly, and its first compact EV.

Hui Zhang, vice president, Nio Europe, said, “For a decade, our Oxfordshire team has been an integral part of Nio’s global R&D network, contributing to multiple vehicle programs and engineering innovations across our global portfolio. As we celebrate this milestone, we thank the team for its dedication, expertise and contribution to Nio’s development over the past 10 years. The opening of our new Witney R&D center reflects our long-term commitment to the UK, Europe and international collaboration in advancing smart electric mobility.”

The center will facilitate CAE, computational fluid dynamics (CFD), simulation, safety, Euro NCAP safety assessments, durability, handling and noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) developments. It will also serve as Nio Europe’s focal point for artificial intelligence regulation and representation within the International Organisation of Motor Vehicle Manufacturers’ (OICA) AI Cluster through the SMMT. Additionally, the team will contribute to EU policy and regulatory engagement through UNECE working groups and industry consultations.

Mike Hawes, SMMT chief executive, commented, “This investment highlights the UK’s enduring strength as a center of automotive collaboration and engineering excellence. Nio’s decision to consolidate its R&D activity here in a new, state of the art facility also reflects the depth of British talent and expertise in next-generation vehicle technologies.

“It is a timely reminder that amid fierce global competition for investment, the UK can continue to attract and grow high-value innovation, supporting jobs, skills and the transition to zero-emission mobility.”

Related news, Real-world EV test names Xpeng X9 top performer

GM president Mark Reuss reflects on a lifetime working at the Global Technical Center as the facility celebrates its 70th anniversary

It was 70 years ago last month that General Motors unveiled perhaps our biggest launch ever: the General Motors Global Technical Center campus in Warren, Michigan. The Tech Center was celebrated back then as “where today meets tomorrow,” and that’s even more accurate in 2026 as it was in 1956.

My passion for the place where today meets tomorrow goes back thousands of yesterdays to my childhood, when my dad would routinely bring me to work with him on weekends. No matter where we went, my eyes were wide, my heart beat fast and my brain worked overtime to soak up as much as it could.

Coincidentally, my dad’s dream to work at the Tech Center stemmed from a road trip to see it with his parents. Soon after, he and my mom moved up here from the farms of Illinois with US$100 to their name, and the adventure was on.

Fast-forward to the present. This place is still creating the future, and I still find myself amazed at what goes on here on a daily basis. It’s not difficult to summon that childlike wonder I used to feel – one of the many reasons I love my job and I love coming here. I feel blessed to drive in the Mound Road entrance every day, especially when I imagine the thrill of driving up to it for the first time. That hooked dad and me, and it still helps to attract new employees and refuel the talent pool today.

A decade ago, we committed US$2bn to the renovation and refurbishment of the campus, and we did it the right way, as close to Eero Saarinen’s original vision for it as possible. The investment included nearly US$900m for the Wallace Battery Cell Innovation Center and Ancker-Johnson Battery Cell Development Center, which together give us a world-class battery R&D hub, bringing today that much closer to tomorrow.

We also built the beautiful new Design West center, which absolutely looks like it belongs here, as well as our pre-production facility to hand build the ultra-luxury Cadillac Celestiq. We renovated the Vanderbilt House, which had previously been used for everything from an executive cafeteria to furniture storage to a Quizno’s Subs. We revamped all the R&D labs, software and quality labs, advanced manufacturing areas – in short, everything everywhere. Every workspace is someplace I’d be happy to work in, no matter what. I’m very proud of what we accomplished here, and also very glad it’s done. Happy to see the pylons picked up and the port-a-potties loaded back onto trucks.

As a result, I think the campus is better than it’s ever been. It covers 710 acres, with 25,000 people working in this ‘city of innovation’, more than ever before, all changing the auto industry for the better, and creating tomorrow, today.

For 70 years, the Tech Center has helped shape the modern automotive industry, driving the US economy, contributing to the national GDP, and supporting families across America and here in Michigan. Our investments here and in other Michigan facilities support thousands of highly skilled roles in engineering, design, software and advanced manufacturing.

And our investments in Michigan don’t stop there. Today we announced a US$50m commitment to support communities in the state through 2030, expanding our long-standing investments in education, workforce development and community partnerships across the state. We have a long history of giving back in Detroit and Michigan, and this reflects our focus on generating opportunities for students, educators and families.

Just as we have taken the time and resources to invest in our people and facilities, we are helping ensure the vehicles, skills and industrial capabilities needed to create the future are found in Michigan. Giving back has always been very important to me and my family, so I’m proud to connect celebrating our Tech Center’s 70^th anniversary to helping our community build a better tomorrow. I know my dad would be proud, too.

This article was original published on the GM media site.

The March 2015 edition of ATTI carries a site visit of GM’s global powertrain engineering hub in Pontiac. Email the editor, Rachel Evans, for a copy

GM’s executive director for compute and connectivity hardware, Aaron Leiba discusses the OEM’s modernized approach to vehicle connectivity engineering

“From technological innovation to the localization of manufacturing and R&D across Europe, supported by a truly global product line-up, MG continues to push the boundaries of what is possible – making advanced technology and sustainable mobility accessible to more people than ever before,” said William Wang, managing director, MG UK and Europe.

The site will integrate vehicle research and development, advanced manufacturing, core component supply and intelligent logistics operations, forming a fully connected, end-to-end industrial ecosystem. This platform will significantly expand localized production and sourcing, strengthening the resilience, responsiveness and agility of MG’s European supply chain.

MG will deepen collaboration with leading European technology partners, research institutions and local suppliers to accelerate innovation across key future-facing domains, including next-generation battery technology, intelligent mobility systems and clean energy solutions.

This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for the European automotive industry, as the EU’s 2035 zero-emission targets continue to accelerate the shift toward electrified mobility.

Wang said, “Through our ‘In Europe, For Europe’ strategy, we are not simply responding to the future of mobility – we are helping define it. By investing in local capabilities, strengthening our European footprint and fostering a more competitive automotive ecosystem, we are accelerating Europe’s journey toward a cleaner, smarter and more sustainable mobility future.”

Related news, Liquid hydrogen prototype marks next milestone in Toyota’s hydrogen development journey

The Kolín laboratory delivers comprehensive automotive materials testing services with a strong focus on vehicle interior air quality (VIAQ) and flammability. The facility supports manufacturers and suppliers seeking accurate, locally delivered testing services aligned with OEM specifications and regulatory requirements.

The laboratory is equipped to determine volatile organic compounds (VOC) and formaldehyde content in materials and parts, as well as associated interior emissions performance, including odor and fogging assessments. Advanced analytical technologies such as gas chromatography‑mass spectrometry (GC‑MS), high‑performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and controlled sampling chambers enable reliable and repeatable results across a wide range of automotive interior materials and components.

Established with the support of expert SGS teams from Germany, the Kolín laboratory benefits from transferred methodologies, standardized testing practices and proven technical know‑how developed across SGS’s global automotive materials network. The laboratory is ISO/IEC 17025‑accredited for formaldehyde testing, fogging, odor and flammability.

“With the opening of the Kolín laboratory, we are strengthening our ability to support automotive manufacturers and suppliers with high‑quality, locally accessible materials testing services,” said Gregory Lechki, head of automotive materials testing services, connectivity and products. “By combining advanced analytical capabilities with ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, we help customers meet regulatory requirements while improving vehicle interior quality, safety and overall market readiness.”

In other facilities news, last month Toyota Motor Europe opened a digital hub in Poland

The hub is expected to employ around 200 technical specialists that will be responsible for enhancing the MyToyota and LexusLink+ applications, which are used by more than two million European customers to access remote vehicle functions, battery‑charge monitoring and a wide range of ownership‑convenience services. The team will also contribute to the development of the cloud infrastructure that enables connected services for Toyota and Lexus vehicles in Europe, while additionally providing cybersecurity support.

“Toyota has been present in Poland for 35 years and this project strengthens Toyota’s commitment in this market,” said Thierry Boitel, vice president of research and development, Toyota Motor Europe. “Poland was selected as the location for the Toyota Digital Hub due to its strong pool of highly skilled specialists and the presence of leading technical universities.”

The establishment of the Toyota Digital Hub marks a further investment by Toyota in Wrocław. Since 2015, the Shared Services Centre has operated in the city, providing accounting and tax advisory services for all Toyota units in Europe.

“The Toyota Digital Hub is set to play an important role in Europe by expanding Toyota’s software development capabilities and positioning Toyota Motor Europe as a trusted partner in future global software‑defined vehicle development,” said Luis Lopes, vice president information and technology, Toyota Motor Europe.

“The decision to locate Toyota Digital Hub in Poland confirms our country’s strong investment appeal and its solid position as a hub for modern technologies,” said Andrzej Domański, Polish minister of finance and economy.

Recent news, Pony AI launches self-improving physical AI engine PonyWorld 2.0

kAIros is part of Horse Powertrain‘s wider strategy to strengthen the competitiveness of advanced manufacturing in Europe through the use of AI in development, simulation and industrial operations. By combining advanced supercomputing with cloud platforms, the company aims to provide the computing power, security and scalability needed to support these activities and enhance its long-term innovation capabilities.

AI Factory to support industrial AI applications 

At the heart of kAIros is the Horse Powertrain AI Factory, supporting AI use cases across engineering and production, including model training, simulation and digital twins, with the aim of accelerating industrial innovation and real-world deployment. A key part of the concept is the generation of training data to help continuously improve models and digital twins over time.

These capabilities enable the company to run advanced simulations and optimize operations in real time across products, factories, warehouses and logistics, with Google Gemini Enterprise used to deploy AI agents across the business, helping reduce coordination tasks that add limited value.

kAIros also supports physical AI by linking real-world operations with virtual systems in real time. This enables systems to interpret their environment, support autonomous decision-making, and interact with cobots, automated guided vehicles and smart machines. Applications include automated video-based quality inspection, faster product simulation and robotics for process optimization.

A dedicated Center of Excellence will lead the development of internal AI capabilities, bringing together cross-functional teams to build applications and scale expertise across the organization. Alongside this, the AI Factory will support scenario simulation, algorithm optimization and the development of intelligent propulsion solutions to improve efficiency and predictive performance. The initiative also aims to build long-term industrial AI capability to support advanced manufacturing in Europe.

Patrice Haettel, COO of Horse Powertrain and chief executive officer of Horse Technologies, said, “Industry advances at moments when technology doesn’t just follow change – it drives it. With kAIros, we are taking a decisive step into a new era where AI can redefine speed, cost, efficiency and sustainability.

“Our goal is to turn data into knowledge, simulations into real value, and innovation into competitive advantage. Horse Powertrain aims to be more agile and reliable because we understand that AI is not just a tool and kAIros is among the first AI factories in Europe for the automotive industry.”

Related news, GRAS launches new KEMAR head and torso simulator for acoustics analysis