FCA to Open Autonomous-Vehicle Test Facility in Michigan

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV is investing $30 million into a new testing facility for autonomous vehicles at the company's proving grounds in Chelsea, Mich.

Due to open later this month, the site contains a 35-acre safety-feature evaluation area and a 6,500-sq-ft command center. The carmaker expects to hire an unspecified number of new personnel to help staff the facility.

FCA plans to use the complex to reproduce a range of "challenging environments" to test various levels of autonomy and advanced driver assistance systems. The facility includes a high-speed track, including tunnels, exit and entrance ramps, obstacles, various road lighting conditions and unspecified obstacles.

FCA vehicles at the facility will be evaluated through test protocols from third parties such as the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, U.S. New Car Assessment Program and the European New Car Assessment Program. The company didn’t identify what vehicles would be tested initially.

To date, FCA’s self-driving vehicle efforts have focused on partnerships with companies such as Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo unit. In January, the carmaker said it will deliver “thousands” more Chrysler Pacifica minivans to Waymo’s fleet of autonomous test vehicles.

Chrysler opened the Chelsea Proving Grounds in 1954. About 900 people are currently employed at the 4,000-acre site.