Stellantis Invests $29.5 Million in Innovative Wind Tunnel Technology to Enhance EV Aerodynamics
Stellantis has invested $29.5 million in Moving Ground Plane (MGP) technology at its Auburn Hills facility to enhance EV aerodynamics. The upgraded wind tunnel will measure and reduce airflow resistance from wheels and tires, which account for up to 10% of total aerodynamic drag. This technology aims to improve EV driving range and potentially reduce battery sizes, leading to cost and weight savings. The facility can test larger vehicles and simulate speeds up to 140 mph. The investment is part of an $85 million commitment from the 2019 UAW contract and supports Stellantis' goal to achieve 50% US EV sales and 100% European EV sales by 2030.
Stellantis ha investito 29,5 milioni di dollari nella tecnologia Moving Ground Plane (MGP) presso il suo stabilimento di Auburn Hills per migliorare l'aerodinamica dei veicoli elettrici. Il tunnel del vento aggiornato misurerà e ridurrà la resistenza dell'aria proveniente da ruote e pneumatici, che rappresentano fino al 10% del totale della resistenza aerodinamica. Questa tecnologia mira a migliorare l'autonomia dei veicoli elettrici e potenzialmente ridurre le dimensioni delle batterie, con conseguenti risparmi in termini di costi e peso. L'impianto può testare veicoli più grandi e simulare velocità fino a 140 mph. L'investimento fa parte di un impegno totale di 85 milioni di dollari derivante dal contratto UAW del 2019 e supporta l'obiettivo di Stellantis di raggiungere il 50% delle vendite di veicoli elettrici negli Stati Uniti e il 100% delle vendite di veicoli elettrici in Europa entro il 2030.
Stellantis ha invertido 29.5 millones de dólares en tecnología Moving Ground Plane (MGP) en su instalación de Auburn Hills para mejorar la aerodinámica de los vehículos eléctricos. El túnel de viento mejorado medirá y reducirá la resistencia del aire de las ruedas y neumáticos, que representan hasta el 10% de la resistencia aerodinámica total. Esta tecnología tiene como objetivo mejorar la autonomía de los vehículos eléctricos y potencialmente reducir el tamaño de las baterías, lo que lleva a ahorros en costos y peso. La instalación puede probar vehículos más grandes y simular velocidades de hasta 140 mph. La inversión es parte de un compromiso de 85 millones de dólares del contrato UAW de 2019 y apoya el objetivo de Stellantis de alcanzar el 50% de las ventas de vehículos eléctricos en EE. UU. y el 100% de las ventas de vehículos eléctricos en Europa para 2030.
스텔란티스는 전기차의 공기역학을 향상시키기 위해 2950만 달러를 오번 힐스 시설의 이동 지면 평면(MGP) 기술에 투자했습니다. 업그레이드된 풍동은 바퀴와 타이어에서 발생하는 공기 저항을 측정하고 줄일 것이며, 이는 총 항력의 10%에 이릅니다. 이 기술은 전기차의 주행 범위를 개선하고 잠재적으로 배터리 크기를 줄여 비용과 중량을 절감하는 것을 목표로 합니다. 이 시설은 더 큰 차량을 시험하고 140 mph의 속도를 시뮬레이션할 수 있습니다. 이 투자는 2019년 UAW 계약의 8500만 달러 약속의 일환이며, 스텔란티스가 2030년까지 미국에서 전기차 판매의 50%와 유럽에서 100%를 달성하려는 목표를 지원합니다.
Stellantis a investi 29,5 millions de dollars dans la technologie Moving Ground Plane (MGP) à son installation d'Auburn Hills pour améliorer l'aérodynamisme des véhicules électriques. Le tunnel à vent amélioré mesurera et réduira la résistance à l'air des roues et des pneus, qui représentent jusqu'à 10% de la traînée aérodynamique totale. Cette technologie vise à améliorer l'autonomie des véhicules électriques et potentiellement réduire la taille des batteries, entraînant des économies de coûts et de poids. L'installation peut tester des véhicules plus grands et simuler des vitesses allant jusqu'à 140 mph. Cet investissement fait partie d'un engagement de 85 millions de dollars du contrat UAW de 2019 et soutient l'objectif de Stellantis d'atteindre 50% des ventes de véhicules électriques aux États-Unis et 100% des ventes de véhicules électriques en Europe d'ici 2030.
Stellantis hat 29,5 Millionen Dollar in die Moving Ground Plane (MGP) Technologie an seinem Standort in Auburn Hills investiert, um die Aerodynamik von Elektrofahrzeugen zu verbessern. Der verbesserte Windkanal wird den Luftwiderstand von Rädern und Reifen messen und verringern, die bis zu 10% des gesamten aerodynamischen Widerstands ausmachen. Diese Technologie zielt darauf ab, die Reichweite von Elektrofahrzeugen zu verbessern und möglicherweise die Batteriedimensionen zu reduzieren, was zu Kosteneinsparungen und Gewichtserleichterungen führt. Die Einrichtung kann größere Fahrzeuge testen und Geschwindigkeiten von bis zu 140 mph simulieren. Die Investition ist Teil eines 85 Millionen Dollar umfassenden Engagements aus dem UAW-Vertrag von 2019 und unterstützt das Ziel von Stellantis, bis 2030 50% der Elektrofahrzeugverkäufe in den USA und 100% der Elektrofahrzeugverkäufe in Europa zu erreichen.
- Investment in MGP technology enables potential battery size reduction and improved vehicle efficiency
- Facility upgrade allows testing of larger vehicles, particularly STLA Large and Frame platforms
- Automation reduces testing time from hours to minutes, increasing speed to market
- Technology supports goal of 75+ BEVs and 5 million annual EV sales by 2030
- None.
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The automation improvements, reducing test configuration times from hours to minutes, will accelerate product development cycles significantly. Combined with the potential for battery size optimization through improved aerodynamics, this could translate to meaningful cost reductions and competitive advantages in the EV market. The investment aligns perfectly with Stellantis' ambitious goal of
The strategic timing of this infrastructure investment is important as Stellantis prepares to launch over 75 BEVs globally. The ability to optimize aerodynamics could create a significant competitive advantage in the EV market, where range anxiety remains a key consumer concern. By potentially reducing battery sizes while maintaining range targets, Stellantis could achieve better pricing positions against competitors while improving vehicle dynamics through weight reduction.
The facility's 140 mph testing capability ensures relevance for high-performance EVs, while the focus on larger vehicles addresses a critical market segment where aerodynamic efficiency has traditionally been challenging. This investment strengthens Stellantis' position in the premium and truck segments, where margins are typically higher and consumer expectations for range and performance are demanding.
AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Oct. 23, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
$29.5 million - Introduces capability to measure and reduce airflow resistance from wheels and tires, which account for up to
10% of total real-world aerodynamic drag - Helps improve aerodynamics of Stellantis brand vehicles sold worldwide, a critical factor in increasing EV driving range
- Improved EV aerodynamics may lead to potential battery-size reductions, benefitting vehicle efficiency and design
- Upgrade complements AI's role in Stellantis product development; affords greater precision and additional automation, which can increase speed to market
- MGP technology will be a key enabler in the development of Stellantis BEVs, a cornerstone of the company's Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan
Stellantis unveiled its innovative Moving Ground Plane (MGP) technology – a
The upgraded wind tunnel will be able to measure and reduce airflow resistance from wheels and tires, which can account for up to
Optimizing aerodynamic efficiency is crucial in the effort to extend the driving range of electrified vehicles on a single charge. This enhancement directly contributes to improved efficiency, benefiting customers with longer EV ranges and potentially reducing battery sizes, which in turn could lead to cost and weight savings.
"Range is a core consideration for customers who are transitioning to cleaner mobility through battery power," said Mark Champine, senior vice president and head of
The upgrade to the company's innovative aero-acoustic wind tunnel simulates real-world travel while allowing test vehicles to remain static. Belts suspended by cushions of air enable wheel movement at all four corners, while a fifth belt runs longitudinally beneath the vehicle, mimicking on-road travel conditions.
This realistic simulation allows for more precise testing and aerodynamic improvements.
"For EVs, a range increase enabled by improved aerodynamics can lead to potential battery-size reductions," said Champine. "This has positive implications from more efficient packaging-to-weight savings that, in the end, will enhance the customer experience."
The investment in MGP technology will benefit multiple Stellantis brands, regardless of where they are sold or how they are powered, and will gain from aerodynamic optimization.
The upgraded wind tunnel also provides a valuable complement to virtual development tools.
"This apparatus is a great addition to virtual tools, which may not account for factors such as tire deformation that can compromise aerodynamics," said Champine. "With this technology we can replicate such conditions and capture real-time data to explore solutions."
The new facility also adds vital automation capability. Changes to wheelbase and track testing, which can take as much as two hours in conventional wind tunnels, can now be done in minutes.
The combined outcome of real-time data collection and increased automation: increased speed to market.
While Stellantis uses MGP technology at other facilities around the world, those sites are focused on smaller vehicle platforms. The upgraded
MGP technology is a key enabler in the development of BEVs, as outlined in the company's Dare Forward 2030 strategic plan, and will account for
The investment underscores Stellantis' commitment to becoming carbon net-zero by 2038 as part of its leadership in climate-change mitigation.
The upgraded facility is part of an estimated
The measuring platform and turntable that comprise the heart of the MGP equipment weighs 137 tons, rests on a concrete foundation and are supported by a specially designed steel frame.
The wind tunnel, capable of generating wind speeds of more than 160 mph, has been in continuous operation since 2002.
Stellantis has a long history of aerodynamic leadership:
- In 1929, a company led by aviation pioneer Orville Wright built one of the auto industry's first wind tunnels, for Chrysler Corporation
- The Chrysler AirFlow, introduced in 1934, was the world's first vehicle designed with the aid of a wind tunnel
- The Mercury Redstone Rocket used by Alan Shepherd and Gus Grissom for the first two NASA space flights was designed by Chrysler
- The Citroen CX, launched in 1974 at the Paris Auto Salon, featured a coefficient of drag of 0.29. CX is the French acronym for coefficient of drag
- Roof flap mandated by NASCAR to apply downforce in emergency situations was developed in the
Auburn Hills wind tunnel - The 2025 Ram 1500 full-size pickup and Chrysler Pacifica minivan lead their segments with best-in-class coefficient of drag – 0.357 and 0.300, respectively
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