(July 11, 2011) Toyota Motor Europe (TME) has opened a new proving ground at the TME Technical Centre, in Zaventem, Belgium. The state-of-the-art Zaventem Proving Ground, aimed at strengthening Toyota’s European vehicle research and development, took two-and-a-half years to complete.



The latest expansion represents an investment of €47 million ($67.2 million) and demonstrates Toyota’s long-term commitment to Europe.

Toyota says the new proving ground will play a vital role in company's strategy for developing new models for the European small and compact car segments. Toyota employs 770 staff at the technical center itself, of which 430 are engaged in research and development functions. To date, Toyota has invested €167 million ($238 million) in the Zaventem facility, including the latest investment for the purchase and construction of the new proving ground.

Didier Leroy, TME President and CEO said: “The European automotive market is one of the most competitive in the world and our technical centre is already a key facility in Toyota’s global R&D organization. Thanks to the new proving ground, we will make use of our unique positioning and our facilities as a laboratory for innovations in a faster and more efficient way, so that we can develop the right car for our European customers, right here, in the heart of Europe.”

As well as a eight-tenths-mile oval test track, the multi-purpose proving ground also features a 90-meter diameter skid pad, test roads to monitor noise and harshness and a lane for brake tests.

The facilities allow Toyota’s engineers to perform a wide variety of tests such as ride comfort, road noise and vibration, vehicle durability, cornering, engine performance and brake performance. Situated close to the main workshops and offices at the technical centre, the proving ground will handle most of the vehicle testing performed on site.