General Motors proving grounds

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File:General Motors Desert Proving Ground.jpgDesert Proving Ground Yuma is a facility co-built and leased by General Motors located within the US Army's Yuma Proving Ground, near Yuma, Arizona. The facility came fully online as of July 2009. The site contains an inner facility sitting on {{convert|2,400|acre}} with a {{convert|24|acre|adj=on}} campus containing {{convert|98,000|sqft}} of building area and also has {{Convert|40|mi|km|abbr=}} of roadway. One of the main reasons that this site was chosen was the already imposed no fly zone which helps prevent unwanted photography of pre-production prototypes undergoing testing. The facility is also used by the US Army for their own testing requirements.{{Cite web|url=http://www.theautochannel.com/news/2009/07/22/471063.html|title=GM Desert Proving Ground-Yuma Officially Open for Business}}

Other such features are:

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• {{Convert|3.5|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} circle track (3 lanes)
• {{Convert|1.4|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} straight track (2–3 lanes)
• {{Convert|3.1|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} Ride Road (2–4 lanes)
• {{Convert|1000 x 1000|ft|m|abbr=|sp=us}} Dynamics Pad
• Interior Noise Road
• Noise Pass-by Facility
• Misc. grades
• {{convert|72,000|sqft|adj=on}} main building
• Garage (40 hoists)
• Office (120 residents/visitors)
• Product Electronics/Instrumentation Lab
• Alignment/Tire facilities
• Transmission Build Room
• Machine/Fab shop
• Parts Crib
• Warehouse {{convert|14,000|sqft}}
• Sundrella (40 hoists)
• Covered parking
• Fuel facility
• Car wash
• Scale House / Ballast Station

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File:GM proving grounds.jpg

The General Motors Milford Proving Ground was the industry's first dedicated automobile testing facility when it opened in 1924.{{Cite web |last=LaReau |first=Jamie L. |date=2023-03-06 |title=Fast facts about GM Milford Proving Ground, from top secrets to 150 mph test drives |url=https://www.freep.com/story/money/cars/general-motors/2023/03/06/gm-milford-proving-ground-holds-many-secrets-here-are-some-fast-facts/69885649007/ |access-date=2024-09-23 |website=Detroit Free Press |language=en-US}} It is the longest continuously operating proving ground in the world. It is located in Milford, Michigan and covers {{Convert|4000|acre|ha|abbr=|sp=us}}. 4,800 staff work in its 142 buildings today{{when|date=April 2025}}. The proving ground includes the equivalent of {{Convert|132|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} of roads representative of conditions found on public roadways and other specialty surfaces for vehicle testing. Some roads are open only to drivers who have passed special performance driving training.{{citation needed|date=April 2025}}

; Facilities:

Image:GM proving ground Milford.JPG

• The VDTA ("Vehicle Dynamics Test Area"), also known as "Black Lake", is a {{convert|67|acre|m2|adj=on}} pad of blacktop for vehicle dynamics testing. Waterfowl have been known to try to land on this "lake" of asphalt. At the ends of the VDTA are two semicircle tracks used for accelerating vehicles up to high speed before entering the pad. A controlled low-friction area made of ceramic tiles is on one side of the pad. Another area is coated with the asphalt sealant Jennite and can be watered down to produce a low friction surface.
• The Oval Track is a {{Convert|3.8|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} circuit
• The Circle Track encloses the VDTA and is a {{Convert|4.5|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} banked circle. It has five lanes posted with speed limits increasing towards the outermost lane. The speed limit for the outermost lane is 100+ MPH (160+  km/h). Due to the banking, each lane can be driven at its posted speed all the way around the circle without needing to touch the steering wheel, given proper wheel alignment and tire pressures. The track surface is extremely hard "dolomite" concrete for wear resistance.
• The North/South Straightaway is {{Convert|6.225|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} in total length and includes two {{Convert|2.5|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} straightaways
• The East/West Straightaway is {{Convert|3.1|mi|km|abbr=|sp=us}} around and includes two 1.2 mi (1.9 km)straightaways
• "Seven Sisters" is a short course featuring seven tight curves, some level, some banked. It is one lane that can be driven in both directions, so only one car is allowed on the course at a time. This is used for testing vehicles under transient lateral acceleration loads.
• 12 Mile Road is a straight section of pavement which duplicates the historical surface texture of a section of 12 Mile Road near Detroit.
• The Ride and Handling loop is enclosed by the Circle Track and has varied surfaces and turns.
• The Vehicle Safety & Crashworthiness Lab includes a recently added rollover test facility.

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General Motors Proving Ground Cupuan del Rio is situated between Lázaro Cárdenas and Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico. The facility opened in 2006 and features a circle track, several off-road courses, and is primarily used for testing HVAC systems.

As of 2011 the grounds are mostly abandoned, and only a local security staff remains. This is due to the volatile, potentially unsafe situation in the region and the access routes to/from Cupuán.

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General Motors Cruz Alta Proving Ground at Indaiatuba, Brazil [http://www.gm.com/corporate/about/global_operations/south_america/braz.jsp]

• Founded in 1974
• Proving Ground facilities
• It is the largest and most comprehensive proving ground in Latin America, and the second largest in the General Motors Corporation. It comprises the most advanced test tracks, which precisely replicate the most varied and demanding road conditions. [http://www.gm.com/corporate/about/global_operations/south_america/braz.jsp]
• GM do Brasil is committed to the preservation of forests and the animal species that live there. Cruz Alta Proving Ground for example, has test roads and tracks that sit amid a forest reserve of {{Convert|4600000|sqm|sqft|abbr=|sp=us}}, including {{Convert|22270000|sqm|sqft|abbr=|sp=us}} of reforested trees. The Proving Ground also features {{Convert|100000|sqm|sqft|abbr=|sp=us}} of Atlantic Forest original vegetation; 10,000 planted fruit trees and more than {{Convert|1000000|sqm|sqft|abbr=|sp=us}} of lawns. In addition, GM do Brasil recently partnered with IBAMA, the Brazilian Environment Protection Agency, to monitor the abundant proliferation of capybaras at that location.

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File:Opel-Testgelände Rodgau-Dudenhofen Aerial fg140.jpg

Opel, which since 2021 is not owned by General Motors, operates a proving ground near Dudenhofen, Germany [https://web.archive.org/web/20100212221019/http://www.opel.de/meetopel/opelag/location/dudenhofen/index.act], opened in 1964. Facilities include a {{Convert|4.8|km|mi|abbr=|sp=us}} high-speed circuit, a {{Convert|900|m|yd|abbr=|sp=us}} section of Belgian pavé and a hill circuit with gradients up to 30%.

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Opel, which since 2021 is not owned by General Motors, operates a winter climate proving ground near Arjeplog, Sweden. Most of the tracks are on the lake ice. Arjeplog has an average temperature of {{convert|-11|C|F}} in January.

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The Lang Lang Proving Ground is a vehicle testing facility located at Lang Lang, Victoria, Australia, approximately {{Convert|90|km|mi|abbr=|sp=us}} south-east of Melbourne.[https://web.archive.org/web/20081227205835/http://www.holden.com.au/www-holden/jsp/environmentcommunity/environmentcommunity.jsp?link=holdenenvironment&heading=facilities&topic=holden_proving_ground&id= Lang Lang Proving Ground], Holden

It was opened in 1957 by Holden on a {{Convert|2152|acre|sp=us}} site off the Bass Highway."Vehicle Proving Ground in Vic", Truck & Bus Transportation July 1956, page 51. It was used to test every Holden model from the Holden FC onwards. It is a dedicated 877-hectare site with {{Convert|44|km|mi|abbr=|sp=us}} of road systems, including a {{Convert|4.7|km|mi|abbr=|sp=us}} 4 lane circular track (speed bowl), {{Convert|5.5|km|mi|abbr=|sp=us}} and handling course, a {{Convert|1.8|km|mi|abbr=|sp=us}} noise road and {{Convert|98|m|yd|abbr=|sp=us}} diameter skid pan. It is also equipped with an Emissions Laboratory and Safety Test Facility with crash barrier and HYGE sled.{{cn|date=February 2020}}

In February 2020 GM announced the test track and design centre would close with all jobs being redundant to reflect the GM decision to quit global right hand drive vehicle production.{{cite web |last1=Dowling |first1=Joshua |title=Holden axed in Australia as General Motors gets out of right-hand-drive globally |url=https://www.caradvice.com.au/827459/holden-axed-in-australia-as-general-motors-gets-out-of-right-hand-drive-globally/ |website=CarAdvice.com |publisher=CarAdvice.com Pty Limited |access-date=February 17, 2020 |language=en-AU |date=February 17, 2020}} In September 2020, it was sold to VinFast. It will continue to be used by GM Specialty Vehicles.[https://thewest.com.au/lifestyle/motoring/holdens-lang-lang-proving-grounds-sold-to-vietnamese-start-up-vinfast-gmsv-to-continue-testing-on-site-ng-b881662137z Holden’s Lang Lang proving grounds sold to Vietnamese start-up VinFast, GMSV to continue testing on site] The West Australian September 9, 2020 In October 2021, VinFast disbanded its local engineering operations and put the Lang Lang Proving Ground test track up for sale.{{cite web |title=Holden test track for sale again for second time |url=https://www.drive.com.au/news/holden-test-track-for-sale-again-for-second-time-in-12-months-agent-cbre-confirms/ |website=Drive.com.au |date=October 25, 2021}} As of 2024, VinFast has not found a buyer for the track.

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Shanghai GM (SGM) and Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center (PATAC), both joint-ventures of SAIC Motor with GM China, opened in September 2012 China's largest proving ground in Guangde County, Anhui, China.[http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/news.detail.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2012/Sep/0922_Proving_Ground.html GM and Partners Open China’s Largest Proving Ground]

GM's proposed facility at Mezcala, Mexico was terminated in the planning phase due to breakdown in land negotiations. The facility was to take over Desert Proving Ground (DPG) tasks when GM announced DPG's closing in 2000. DPG was closed in 2009 and replaced with a new facility in Yuma, Arizona.

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GM Desert Proving Ground in Mesa, Arizona, USA was a General Motors facility for the testing of HVAC, propulsion, and various automotive systems in a harsh climate. Opened in 1953, the closure of this facility was completed in 2009. It was replaced by a new facility in Yuma, Arizona, known as the Desert Proving Ground Yuma.

• Nardò Ring
• Ehra-Lessien (Volkswagen)
• Fiorano Circuit (Ferrari)
• Ford Proving Grounds
• Mazda Proving Grounds
• Nissan Proving Grounds

• {{cite web|url=http://media.gm.com/about_gm/tech_center/milford_2.html |title=GMTC - MPG Facts & Figures |publisher=General Motors |access-date=2008-10-03 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20080804114822/http://media.gm.com/about_gm/tech_center/milford_2.html |archive-date=2008-08-04 |url-status=dead }}

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category|General Motors Proving Grounds}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20120218070320/http://www.opel.com/experience_opel/driver-training/test-center-dudenhofen.html Opel Test Center Dudenhofen]

{{General Motors}}

Category:Buildings and structures in Mesa, Arizona

Category:Buildings and structures in Oakland County, Michigan

Category:Buildings and structures in Yuma County, Arizona

Category:General Motors facilities

Category:Road test tracks by manufacturer

Category:1924 establishments in Michigan