Hyundai Motor America and Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI) have broken ground on their US$51.6 million Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) in Superior Township, Michigan, USA. The lab is planned to be operational in autumn 2023 and will be supported by 160 employees.
The facility will further augment Hyundai’s existing safety testing and analysis. The site will feature a field crash investigation lab, a high-voltage battery lab, a forensics lab, a 500m track and a Vehicle Dynamics Area pad. The investment is intended to enhance Hyundai’s safety commitment in identifying vehicle field issues, preventing crashes and keeping passengers safe.
The STIL was developed in collaboration with the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration (NHTSA) based on a 2020 Consent Order which required an investment in a safety facility of $25 million. Hyundai increased its required investment by more than $26 million.
“Safety is the top priority at Hyundai and is embedded throughout the entire organisation,” said José Muñoz, president and COO of Hyundai Motor Company, and president and CEO of Hyundai and Genesis Motor North America and Hyundai Motor America. “We excel in third-party crash testing and ratings, and we strive to be a leader in equipping our vehicles with the latest safety features. The new laboratory will enable us to even more effectively protect our customers and enhance our world-class safety organisation.”
Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-12) added at the ground-breaking ceremony, “Traffic fatalities are at an all-time high in our nation, and each of us, from elected officials to auto makers, have a role to play in addressing this urgent, preventable crisis. This new Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory will save lives, and I applaud Hyundai for their commitment to keeping passengers safe.”
