To strengthen the UK’s position in the automotive safety testing sector, Horiba MIRA has expanded and upgraded its Passive Safety Engineering Centre in the West Midlands.
The investment, supported by the government’s West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) funding partner, Frontier Development Capital, will extend the safety center by more than 40%, and will enable the delivery of legislative and NCAP crash test protocols.
The upgraded facility will be extended by 85m – taking the total runway length to 170m – and will feature an extended crash laboratory and advanced equipment such as a new vehicle winch system and high-tech cameras. The upgrades will provide vehicle manufacturers with the ability to perform a full suite of passive safety compliance tests. 
“Horba MIRA identified there’s capacity for the UK to offer even more in the field of automotive safety engineering, and that’s been the catalyst for us to take decisive action and win the necessary support to bolster the current passive safety capability,” said Graeme Stewart, Horiba MIRA’s chief technical officer.
The company believes the investment will allow the UK to retain and attract important vehicle safety engineering and test work – from both resident and non-UK manufacturers.
The facility was closed in February to enable construction work to be carried out; this is now nearing completion.
“While we have deep knowledge and capability in vehicle safety engineering and test, we have gaps in the facility capabilities to support all legislative and consumer standards. Capability in safety engineering is central to the success of the UK’s automotive engineering ecosystem,” said Stewart.
Chris Reeves, Horiba MIRA’s head of connected and autonomous vehicles, said, “After hearing about the facility capability gaps we identified, the WMCA and Mayor Andy Street both championed this project on Horiba MIRA’s behalf and we’re extremely grateful for their support.
“This has led to us securing a substantial grant from WMCA which was negotiated and arranged by their fund manager Frontier Development Capital. This funding has been crucial in supporting the development of the site – and the Midlands as a region for innovation and growth.”
Roisin Hopkins, Horiba MIRA’s CCO, said, “We will soon be able to provide a one-stop automotive safety test engineering solution and enable vehicle manufacturers to realise new efficiencies, including minimizing prototypes, logistics, shipping and carbon costs.”
The new facility is scheduled for a formal unveiling in September.