GM opens $50 Million Test Track in Mexico
01-26-2008, 11:00 AM
#1
Melting Slicks
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St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10
GM opens $50 Million Test Track in Mexico
Found this article in Automotive News:
"General Motors on Thursday, Jan. 24, said it has opened a $50 million hot weather test track in Cupuan del Rio in western Mexico. The town has an average air temperature throughout the year of 90 degrees.
The track is 3.5 miles long and is on 4,447 acres between the coastal resort of Zihuatanejo, in the state of Guerrero, and the Michoacan state capital of Morelia.
GM, which employs 134 at the track, said it started looking for a location in 2000. Fifty potential sites were considered before Cupuan was selected."
It was also stated that they decided on the Mexico location only after it was unable to find a suitable location stateside.
"General Motors on Thursday, Jan. 24, said it has opened a $50 million hot weather test track in Cupuan del Rio in western Mexico. The town has an average air temperature throughout the year of 90 degrees.
The track is 3.5 miles long and is on 4,447 acres between the coastal resort of Zihuatanejo, in the state of Guerrero, and the Michoacan state capital of Morelia.
GM, which employs 134 at the track, said it started looking for a location in 2000. Fifty potential sites were considered before Cupuan was selected."
It was also stated that they decided on the Mexico location only after it was unable to find a suitable location stateside.
01-26-2008, 06:50 PM
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Wonder if they will hire illegal Americans?
01-26-2008, 10:20 PM
#6
Team Owner
for the new model so I can get another one
01-27-2008, 01:08 PM
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"AlohaC5" Senior Member
01-27-2008, 02:29 PM
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I've never heard the official reason for the move. Given the current existence of the GM Desert Proving Grounds outside Mesa, Arizona, I'm wondering if it's primarily a cost issue, with also the desire for a location that essentially is in summertime year around. I used to spend a lot of time at DPG doing vehicle testing, and the place was first rate, so I can't believe it was a lack of adequate facilities. Given the encroachment of suburban Phoenix (possibly raising the property tax costs), and the short, but obvious, moderation of temperatures over the wintertime, I can see why GM might look elsewhere. It's just unfortunate for the temporary travelers (like I was) that they now have to go into Mexico for their testing.
01-27-2008, 02:58 PM
#10
Burning Brakes
I used to go to the DPG for test work too and there had been talk for a very long time of opening another facility to replace the DPG.
GM work at the DPG has been cut back considerably and Harly Davidson is a prime user there now.
GM work at the DPG has been cut back considerably and Harly Davidson is a prime user there now.
