AVL Expands with New Facility in Ann Arbor

    PLYMOUTH, Mich., Feb. 19 Plymouth, Mich.-based AVL
Powertrain Engineering, Inc. will open its second North American facility in
early 2002, a 41,000 sq. ft. operation in Ann Arbor, Mich.
    The facility, located at 1801 E. Ellsworth Rd., will feature a full
complement of powertrain durability and validation test operations, together
with light duty vehicle emissions testing, according to Terence Rhoades, vice
president of powertrain validation operations for AVL, and general manager of
the new facility. The first test sites will be available in early 2002, with
the remaining sites added during the rest of the year.
    The new facility will feature a large number of engine and chassis
dynamometer test cells, including a motorcycle chassis dynamometer (one of a
small number in the U.S.), and a chassis dynamometer for 4-wheel drive
vehicles. The test cells will be offered in addition to the seven development
cells already in operation or under construction at the company's Plymouth
headquarters.
    The Ann Arbor laboratory will also feature a clean engine build area and a
large vehicle soak facility. The vehicle emission test area will be opened in
2002.
    Durability and validation operations will be conducted around the clock,
seven days a week, with the variety of test cell configurations able to
accommodate a very wide range of engines and powertrains. The laboratory will
feature AVL dynamometers, emissions analysis and test automation systems.
    "We will offer a full range of engine and powertrain durability testing
and catalyst development for all types of engines," said Rhoades. "Like the
Plymouth test center, these new AVL facilities will be able to test engines
using any type of fuel. In conjunction with the main site in Plymouth, AVL
will have some of the most comprehensive non-OEM engine design and development
capabilities offered in North America, including capability for a complete
range of diesel engines."
    AVL Powertrain Engineering provides a full range of services to the
powertrain industry, including design, analysis, research and development and
testing. The Advanced Simulation Technology division also offers a range of
software tools for vehicle applications. Test facilities in Plymouth and Ann
Arbor house test cells for development, validation and durability testing of
gasoline and diesel powertrain systems. The Plymouth facility is also home to
AVL North America, a major provider of powertrain and vehicle test
instrumentation and systems.
    The company is a subsidiary of Graz, Austria-based AVL, the world's
largest privately owned and independent company for the development of
powertrain systems and related instrumentation and test systems.