$99M automotive R&D centre opens for business

OSHAWA, Ont.: The General Motors of Canada Automotive Centre of Excellence (ACE) is now officially open for business.

The $99-million state-of-the-art test and R&D and training facility owned and operated by the University of Ontario Institute of Technology (UOIT) in Oshawa, Ont. kicked off its first day of business Monday simulating frigid January temperatures within its wind tunnel.

Described by the university as one of the largest and “the first of its kind in the world,” the wind tunnel is built to blow up to 240 kilometre per hour and under temperatures ranging between -40 and 60 degrees C with humidity ranges from 5% to 95%.

Indeed, the five-storey, 16,300 square-metre facility has a full range of testing facilities that allow for climatic, durability and lifecycle testing, including a solar array that replicates the effects of sunlight and hydrogen capability for fuel cell development.

And lab space is available for rent to manufacturers, start-up companies and other researchers.

“With this new world-class facility we will be able to develop the next generation of electric vehicles, green energy technology and products not yet thought of, right here in our backyard,” said the Jim Flaherty, minister of finance and Whitby-Oshawa MP.

At full capacity the centre will employ 30 people.

ACE was developed in partnership with UOIT, General Motors of Canada Ltd., the Partners for the Advancement of Collaborative Engineering Education (PACE), the Government of Ontario and the Government of Canada.