GKN Driveline has opened a new cold-weather facility at the Smithers Winter Test Centre (SWTC) in Brimley, Michigan, giving the UK supplier proving grounds for extreme conditions on three continents; Europe, Asia and North America.
The Michigan Upper Peninsula test site comprises a new 10,000 square-foot facility within SWTC’s 750-acre complex, where performance evaluations of all parts of a vehicle can be conducted in the harshest of winter conditions.
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It provides GKN Driveline’s North American customers with a local base at which to test the company’s All-Wheel-Drive and eDrive systems in the extremes of cold and hazardous, low-traction road conditions.
GKN Driveline’s facility is adjacent to the main SWTC track and features a central workshop bay with four vehicle hoists. Three private garages ensure confidentiality and security for GKN’s customers.
“All-wheel- drive technology continues to grow in overall consumer acceptance and demand and has emerged as a product differentiator for vehicle manufacturers,” said GKN Driveline senior director, Global Engineering Processes and Systems, Gavin Streather, who will oversee the centre’s operation.
“The private facility will allow our engineers to collaborate with customer engineering teams to develop and tune all-wheel- drive systems that meet brand characteristics for a variety of vehicles.”
The new facility in the US joins GKN’s established cold-climate proving grounds in Arjeplog, Sweden and China.
