Geely Auto Group on Thursday inaugurated what it said is the world’s largest automotive safety testing centre, as the Chinese carmaker steps up investment in safety technologies for intelligent and electrified vehicles.
The Geely Safety Centre spans about 45,000 square metres and represents an initial investment of more than 2 billion yuan ($275 million). Geely said the facility has set five Guinness World Records, including for the largest automotive safety laboratory and the longest indoor crash-test track.
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The new centre broadens the scope of vehicle safety testing beyond traditional crash performance to include cybersecurity, new-energy powertrains, over-the-air (OTA) software updates and environmental health. Geely said the facility is designed to meet the growing complexity of vehicles that increasingly rely on software, connectivity and electrified drivetrains.
“Safety has always been Geely Auto Group’s top priority over the past 30 years,” said Jerry Gan, chief executive of Geely Auto Group. “We’ve always aimed to exceed national and regional standards to set new benchmarks in safety, which is a benefit to everyone in the industry and consumers globally.”
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According to Geely, the centre includes CNAS-certified cybersecurity testing for vehicle chips, firmware and data encryption, as well as dedicated zones for evaluating battery integrity and electrified powertrains. It also houses a so-called “Golden Nose” team tasked with assessing cabin air quality to meet a zero harmful gas and odour standard.
The record-setting infrastructure includes a 293.39-metre indoor crash-test track, a large adjustable wind tunnel capable of simulating extreme weather conditions, and a flexible crash zone that allows vehicle impacts at angles ranging from 0 to 180 degrees. Geely said the facility can conduct 27 different types of safety tests within a single laboratory.
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Geely plans to use the centre not only for in-house research and development but also as a collaborative platform with external institutions, including the China Automotive Technology and Research Center (CATARC) and Tsinghua University, to help shape future safety standards for intelligent vehicles.