SUPERIOR TWP.–Hyundai Motor North America and Hyundai America Technical Center Inc. have opened a $51.4 million Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory in Superior Township.
A ribbon cutting ceremony highlighted the capabilities of the new laboratory that will help enhance the safety of Hyundai vehicles. The STIL is supported by 160 employees and is planned to be operational by mid-October.
“It is a proud day for Hyundai Motor North America, with the opening of a world-class safety laboratory in the U.S.,” said José Muñoz, president and CEO, Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America. “Hyundai recognized the importance of expanding its hands-on field safety evaluation and investigation processes to help ensure the safety of our customers. We strive to be a leader in automotive safety.”
The new center includes a field crash investigation lab, high voltage battery lab, forensics lab, a 400-meter track, and a vehicle dynamics area skid pad. The new labs are focused on enhancing Hyundai’s safety commitment by helping with new technology development, identifying, and replicating vehicle field issues, expediting investigations, and conducting regulatory safety testing.
“The STIL differentiates itself from other automotive OEM laboratories through its dedicated purpose of investigating real-world crashes and field issues, typically done by outside vendors,” said Brian Latouf, global chief safety officer, Hyundai Motor Co. “Having such a capable and expansive safety and investigations laboratory in-house, will allow Hyundai to take a more proactive approach in determining safety issues and trends early-on. The Hyundai North American Safety Office is very excited to be an important contributor to our company’s future success through tackling quality, crashworthiness, and crash avoidance scenarios to protect customers and enhance our world-class safety organization.”
The STIL was developed in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration based on a 2020 Consent Order which required an investment in a safety facility of $25 million. Hyundai recognized the benefits in having a best-in-class crash facility dedicated to safety and investigations. Hyundai doubled its investment which exceeds more than $51 million.
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