FEV to Open "Mission-Critical" Test Facility in 2018

June 27, 2017

Kami Buchholz

FEV North America President and CEO Patrick Hupperich (second from right) is joined by local and state officials at the June 26 groundbreaking for FEV's new vehicle test center. Quipped Michigan governor Rick Snyder (third from left), "We finally get to throw some dirt. Let's get this project going." (Kami Buchholz photo)

Engineering services company FEV will expand its vehicle-emissions capability next year with the opening of a new vehicle test center, its third facility in Auburn Hills, MI.

FEV North America's President and CEO, Patrick Hupperich addresses an audience of local and state officials, FEV employees and media during the groundbreaking ceremony on June 26. (Kami Buchholz photo)

FEV North America's Dr. Dean Tomazic, left, and Dr. Patrick Hupperich, after the groundbreaking ceremony June 26. Said Dr. Tomazic, "Everybody has a lot of testing needs and it's increasing over time, hence the decision to have our own 4WD chassis dynamometer with full emissions capability." (Kami Buchholz photo)

“When our new vehicle test center is operational in mid-2018, it will have as its centerpiece a vehicle emissions chassis dynamometer. We view that as a very critical, almost a mission-critical resource for our business,” declared Dr. Patrick Hupperich, President and CEO of FEV North America.

Hupperich and Dr. Dean Tomazic, FEV North America’s Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Officer, spoke with Automotive Engineering prior to the June 26 groundbreaking ceremony for the 25,600 ft² (2378 m²) facility.

FEV’s approximate $27 million investment will bolster its testing capabilities for development programs and project certifications, including U.S. EPA Tier 3 and California LEV III emissions requirements. The new 4WD dynamometer will handle light-duty passenger cars and other vehicles up to 14,000 lb (6350 kg). Dr. Tomazic added that FEV will also use the facility to conduct the majority of its benchmarking activities.

The company’s current 500-person workforce in Auburn Hills will gain an additional 250 engineers and technical specialists with the new test center.