Search
 

Ford Opens $16M Lab

DEARBORN, MI-The New Dearborn lab is part of a $65-million investment in labs and test tracks in Michigan and Arizona. Ford, which now takes about 28 months to get a vehicle to market once the design is complete, wants to trim that number down to 19 months by mid-2007.

By Dan Heaton | Updated on August 17, 2005

DEARBORN, MI-Ford Motor Co. opened a new $16-million safety-testing facility in the city this week, part of a $65-million effort to cut costs in vehicle production and to get new models to market faster. Ford, which now takes about 28 months to get a vehicle to market once the design is complete, wants to trim that number down to 19 months by mid-2007, says Phil Martens, Ford vice president for product creation.

Ford says the new safety-testing lab near its Dearborn headquarters has one of the most advanced crash simulators in the world. The simulator consists of a vehicle interior set inside a rigid frame and attached to a fast-moving hydraulic sled. The simulator allows Ford to see what would happen to the interior of a vehicle in five different types of crashes–including frontal and side impact–without actually having to destroy an expensive prototype vehicle. The new safety lab facility is part of the company’s current $65-million investment in advanced vehicle testing technology.

Other facets of the vehicle testing upgrades include a Volvo Arizona Proving Grounds. Ford relaunched its proving grounds in Whitman, AZ last year with a $10-million investment. New and advanced features include a 36-bay garage, 2.1-mile straightaway, steering and handling course, lane-change pad, 200-foot vehicle dynamics circle and mini-ride roads.

Want to continue reading?
Become a Free ALM Digital Reader.

Once you are an ALM digital member, you’ll receive:

  • Unlimited access to GlobeSt and other free ALM publications
  • Access to 15 years of GlobeSt archives
  • Your choice of GlobeSt digital newsletters and over 70 others from popular sister publications
  • 1 free article* every 30 days across the ALM subscription network
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM events and publications

*May exclude premium content
Already have an account?

NOT FOR REPRINT

© 2024 ALM Global, LLC, All Rights Reserved. Request academic re-use from www.copyright.com. All other uses, submit a request to [email protected]. For more information visit Asset & Logo Licensing.

GlobeSt

Join GlobeSt

Don't miss crucial news and insights you need to make informed commercial real estate decisions. Join GlobeSt.com now!

  • Free unlimited access to GlobeSt.com's trusted and independent team of experts who provide commercial real estate owners, investors, developers, brokers and finance professionals with comprehensive coverage, analysis and best practices necessary to innovate and build business.
  • Exclusive discounts on ALM and GlobeSt events.
  • Access to other award-winning ALM websites including ThinkAdvisor.com and Law.com.

Already have an account? Sign In Now
Join GlobeSt

Copyright © 2024 ALM Global, LLC. All Rights Reserved.