Volkswagen Group of America has opened a new $27m Test Center California (TCC) product development and emissions test laboratory in Oxnard, California, US.
The 64,000sq ft facility is expected to be fully operational this fall and will focus on powertrain and systems development, governmental compliance and field quality testing.
The new facility will house an array of 2,500, 430-kilowatt solar panels to reduce energy costs by nearly one-third.
It will also will feature an emissions test laboratory, parts analysis capabilities, a vehicle workshop with over 16 in-ground lifts, and a dealer service and training center.
The new facility will support several Volkswagen brands that include Audi, Porsche, Bentley, and Bugatti.
Volkswagen Group of America executive vice president and general counsel David Geanacopoulos said, "This state-of-the-art facility is where engineering, powertrain development, emissions testing, and quality come together to ensure the Volkswagen Group continues to deliver the best German-engineered products in the market today and in the years to come."
Volkswagen said that the test facility is latest step of its $4bn US growth strategy and is part of over $100m investment in California.
