World’s Largest Test Tracks: The Race Is On

Today, GM and its Chinese joint venture partner SAIC opened what GM China President Kevin Wale called "China's largest proving ground." The test track west of Shanghai did cost about $252.5 million, Reuters says. Automakers are busy turning China into test track central, but Milford may be passed by a German track. The 1,400-acre (560-hectare) project in Guangde County, Anhui province, is part of the $1.5 billion GM invests annually in China. While China's largest, the track is dwarfed by GM's more than 4,000-acre proving ground in Milford, Michigan. The FAW-Volkswagen joint venture is building a test track in Changchunin northeastChina'sJilinprovince. When finished in 2014, this track will be the largest of its kind in China, says China Daily. It is expected to be twice the size of GM's track near Shanghai. According to Beijing rumors, the track will be larger than Volkswagen's gigantic home track in Ehra-Lessien near Wolfsburg. Ehra may not be eclipsed for long by its Chinese cousin. Volkswagen laid its eyes on the neighboring 4,200 acre military proving ground, currently used by the German army. All Volkswagen has to do is tear the fence down that separates its proving ground from the much larger military installation. The army will move by the end of 2013. Meanwhile in the U.S.A., an only slightly used test track owned by Honda in the Mojave Desert went on sale in 2011. Last we checked, it had found no buyer. from The Truth About Cars http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com

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