Changan Ford Investing $116 Million USD to Expand Technology Development Center in Chongqing
Ford Motor Company’s Changan Ford joint venture announced this month plans for a $116 million investment that will facilitate the expansion of its Chongqing Technology Development Center. The expansion will be used to increase Changan Ford’s vehicle testing and development capabilities; the facilities established through the expansion will emphasize vehicles, powertrains, and eventual testing of New Energy Vehicles and hybrid electric vehicles.
“China continues to be a center for innovation and it is vital that we engineer our vehicles to meet the exacting standards and specific needs of Chinese customers,” said Nigel Harris, president of Changan Ford Automobile. “As Chinese customers increasingly choose from Changan Ford’s exciting vehicle lineup, this investment will equip us to take our lineup to the next level.”
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Construction on the expansion is already underway and is set to conclude by the second half of 2018. Among the new aspects added to the Technology Development Center with the expansion is an advanced climatic wind tunnel, which will simulate weather conditions between -40 degrees and 60 degrees Celsius (-40 degrees to 140 degrees Fahrenheit) and generate winds of up to 225 kilometers per hour (140 mph). This wind tunnel will be used to eliminate unwanted vehicle noises and ensure durability in extreme weather.
“China is not only the world’s largest auto market, the Chinese also have become some of the most sophisticated and demanding customers around the world,” Harris added. “This new facility will help us to continue to meet and exceed customer needs and demands, and more firmly establish Changan Ford as a leader in vehicle quality and innovation in China.”
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