Toyota Motor North America has begun construction on over US$50m in new facilities for vehicle and automotive technology testing and development at the Arizona Proving Grounds, with most of the work expected to be completed later this year.
The construction includes a 5.5-mile oval track, an off-road park and new ride and handling surfaces, among many other improvements. Toyota is also planning a future facility for the development of advanced driver assistance technology. Formally named the Arizona Mobility Test Center at Toyota Arizona Proving Grounds (AMTC at TAPG), the facility, under Toyota ownership, has been made available to the industry as a vehicle testing resource since 2021.
“The new investment in Arizona signals the facility’s importance to Toyota,” said Stefan Young, vice president at Toyota Motor North America’s Research and Development. “Site updates make it more attractive as an ideal place for companies to test new vehicle capabilities, including by Toyota for our own North American-developed vehicle line-up, thanks to the new and expanded development capabilities.”
AMTC at TAPG has been managed by Intertek Transportation Technologies since 2021. The company will continue to oversee facility administration and rental operations, including marketing to solicit new business and tenant services.
“Again and again, Arizona is proving why businesses move to, stay in, invest in our state,” said Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs. “We’re grateful to Toyota for its efforts to bring innovation and opportunity to Arizona. This new investment in our state will spur economic growth and put us at the forefront of auto ingenuity.”
“I’m grateful to Toyota for their investment in Wittmann, Arizona and their commitment to innovation,” said Arizona House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee chairman Leo Biasiucci. “As chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I’m proud that Toyota chose Arizona to call home.”
AMTC at TAPG is located in the Sonoran Desert near Wittmann, Arizona, a town about 60 miles northwest of Phoenix. The facility covers approximately 11,650 acres and has 77 miles of testing surfaces with 60 miles of paved roads, more than 50 miles of off-road and dirt tracks and a high-speed oval track with a second oval track nearing completion. Toyota established the Arizona Proving Grounds in 1993, and it has been home to testing more than 50 Toyota and Lexus vehicles for the North American market since then.