Built for 45 million US dollars 10 years ago, today this wind tunnel is an essential link in Kia’s vehicle development process. “Since we built this site, we have improved the aerodynamics of our cars by 30%, which translates to about a 15% increase in fuel efficiency. Thanks to these numbers, we are among the most advanced players in the field,” says Mr Kim, the engineer in charge of the project.
And of course, a research and development centre like this wouldn’t be complete without crash test facilities, a controlled environment where the tests are conducted under the watchful eye of dozens of high-speed cameras.
And Kia isn’t afraid of comparing itself to the competition either. An open parking area is set aside for the competing automakers’ vehicles, which are put to the test to establish the standards of Kia’s competitors.
c“Our research and development centre, which employs 8,000 people, is what enabled our company to expand and, today, to offer products that we are proud of and that are successful the world over. We know that all companies have these kinds of facilities. But for Kia, they are the key to our success. And this is just the beginning,” explained the research centre’s communications director.
And to authenticate this claim, the research centre also features a small museum displaying all the different technologies Hyundai and Kia have developed from the very beginning. There’s even a small exhibit dedicated to the banner’s old vehicles, including the famous Pony that was so incredibly popular here in Canada. In fact, the Pony’s success here is recognized in the museum among the company’s other accomplishments.
“People don’t know a lot about our company, and we’d like to become more accessible and prove that our progress didn’t happen by chance. And the research centre is the best proof of that,” concludes Shelley Tavener, Kia Canada’s public relations manager.
And of course, a research and development centre like this wouldn’t be complete without crash test facilities, a controlled environment where the tests are conducted under the watchful eye of dozens of high-speed cameras.
And Kia isn’t afraid of comparing itself to the competition either. An open parking area is set aside for the competing automakers’ vehicles, which are put to the test to establish the standards of Kia’s competitors.
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| Photo: Kia |
c“Our research and development centre, which employs 8,000 people, is what enabled our company to expand and, today, to offer products that we are proud of and that are successful the world over. We know that all companies have these kinds of facilities. But for Kia, they are the key to our success. And this is just the beginning,” explained the research centre’s communications director.
And to authenticate this claim, the research centre also features a small museum displaying all the different technologies Hyundai and Kia have developed from the very beginning. There’s even a small exhibit dedicated to the banner’s old vehicles, including the famous Pony that was so incredibly popular here in Canada. In fact, the Pony’s success here is recognized in the museum among the company’s other accomplishments.
“People don’t know a lot about our company, and we’d like to become more accessible and prove that our progress didn’t happen by chance. And the research centre is the best proof of that,” concludes Shelley Tavener, Kia Canada’s public relations manager.
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