The BMW Group opened a new test site, the so called Future Mobility Development Centre (FMDC), in Sokolov, Czech Republic.

The automaker claimed the EUR300m facility was the first of its type in Central Europe and would “play a key role" in future vehicle development.

One hundred people work on site.

“We have created a one of a kind test site, designed exclusively for the highly demanding testing of automated driving and parking up to level 4. On 600 hectares, we test all possible driving conditions,” said BMW development chief Frank Weber.

The site has a water management system which collects and uses rain for track watering.

Amphibian control systems allow safe passage for animals in the area.

Soil excavated by local mining operations was reused to construct the facility.