GM Opens China’s Biggest Proving Ground

General Motors Co. and Shanghai Automotive Industry Corp. say their new 1,400-acre vehicle proving ground in Guangde County is China's largest vehicle providing ground.

The $253 million (1.6 billion yuan) Guangde Proving Ground contains more than 37 miles of test roads and can conduct 67 types of driving conditions, according to the partners.

The complex includes another six acres of space for laboratories, repair facilities and private workshops. The facility is operated by Shanghai GM and GM/SAIC's Shanghai-based Pan Asia Technical Automotive Center.

GM says the proving ground, which is designed to accommodate vehicles weighing less than 7.5 tons, can test 140 cars and trucks simultaneously. Test areas include an oval track, ride and handling loop, long straightaway, noise road, hill climb and durability and corrosion evaluation.

GM estimates the new proving ground will log about 12.4 million miles of testing per year.