Engineering services company FEV will expand its vehicle-emissions capability next year with the opening of a new vehicle test center, its third facility in Auburn Hills, MI.

“When our new vehicle test center is operational in mid-2018, it will have as its centerpiece a vehicle emissions chassis dynamometer. We view that as a very critical, almost a mission-critical resource for our business,” declared Dr. Patrick Hupperich, President and CEO of FEV North America.

Hupperich and Dr. Dean Tomazic, FEV North America’s Executive Vice President, Chief Technical Officer, spoke with Automotive Engineering prior to the June 26 groundbreaking ceremony for the 25,600 ft² (2378 m²) facility.

FEV’s approximate $27 million investment will bolster its testing capabilities for development programs and project certifications, including U.S. EPA Tier 3 and California LEV III emissions requirements. The new 4WD dynamometer will handle light-duty passenger cars and other vehicles up to 14,000 lb (6350 kg). Dr. Tomazic added that FEV will also use the facility to conduct the majority of its benchmarking activities.

The company’s current 500-person workforce in Auburn Hills will gain an additional 250 engineers and technical specialists with the new test center.