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General Motors is on the brink of selling its Millbrook automotive testing and development centre in Bedfordshire. Due-diligence discussions have been ongoing for several months with an as yet unnamed buyer. The deal is expected to be tied up and officially announced within the next few weeks.
Millbrook declined to comment on the deal. But it said in a statement: “Millbrook continues to assess every option to ensure that the business is able to grow and secure long-term prosperity, creating highly-skilled jobs and maintaining strong industry partnerships. This is an ongoing process.”
Industry insiders have speculated that Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) could emerge as a buyer for Millbrook. The secluded nature of Millbrook’s test tracks would enable JLR to put new models through their paces in total security. The Bedfordshire site would complement JLR’s automotive proving activities at Gaydon in the West Midlands. Millbrook’s laboratories would also offer the carmaker scope to enhance its engine and vehicle test capability.
Transport for London (TfL) has also been linked to the deal, as it is a major user of Millbrook. TfL would need to be assured at the highest level that its activities would at the very least be as secure as they currently are when the new owner takes occupancy.
The 700-acre Millbrook site is widely viewed as one of Europe’s most advanced centres for the development and demonstration of vehicles, from motorcycles and cars to heavy commercial, military and offroad models, employing more than 300 people, many of whom are engineers. It features a range of test tracks including a high-speed circuit, a city-handling track and a hill route.
The facility also boasts a host of laboratories for activities such as crash testing, emissions monitoring and the replication of harsh environmental conditions.
The Millbrook sell-off comes as General Motors centres more of its testing activities in Germany. It is to invest €230 million over the next four years in new facilities at its European product development centre in Rüsselsheim and at its proving ground in Dudenhofen. At Rüsselsheim, new dynamometers for engines will replace older equipment to allow for development of powertrains for 2020 and beyond. Flexible test cells are being installed to enable improved operational efficiencies. These state-of-the-art-laboratories will then be linked to GM’s powertrain facilities in Pontiac, Michigan and Turin, Italy.
The proving grounds at Dudenhofen will gain new capabilities, with a soak area, workshop and vehicle dynamometers for important ultra-low emission testing. This globally common GM equipment will allow similar test procedures and comparable data.
GM said: “The investment into Opel’s design, vehicle engineering, powertrain operations and human resources further demonstrates GM’s commitment to enhance the local capability to position Opel and its sister-brand Vauxhall for long-term competitiveness and success.
“With the additional technical resources, Opel and Vauxhall will continue to play an important role in designing, engineering and building new vehicles and powertrains for its own brands as well as other players in GM’s product portfolio.”