A partnership between Stellantis Canada and the University of Windsor has marked a milestone.
A celebration was held on Tuesday to mark the 30th anniversary of the Stellantis Canada-University of Windsor Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC). It took place inside the new North American Battery Technology Centre.
Stellantis Canada President Trevor Longley celebrated the partnership that made the rare facility possible.
"This milestone celebrates the people and partnerships that have helped shape automotive research and development in Windsor, while also looking ahead to the future of mobility," said Longley in a statement. "With the addition of the North America Battery Technology Centre, Stellantis is strengthening its Canadian engineering footprint and advancing the technologies that will help deliver the next generation of electrified vehicles for our customers."
The battery centre is a facility covering over 8,600 square metres near Windsor International Airport. It serves as the automaker's North American focal point for advanced battery-electric vehicle (BEV) and hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV) cells, modules and battery packs, with storage capacity for 120 EV battery packs, with vigorous testing in an operating range of -40 C to +80 C.
Stellantis operates only one other facility like this, in Turin, Italy.
In addition to the University of Windsor, the ARDC also works with postsecondary institutions across Canada by hosting engineering co-op placements. So far, it has hosted over 800.
"Our students have developed the skills and experience that employers need, our researchers have tackled real-world challenges, and our region has benefited from the talent, innovation and investment that strong collaboration makes possible," said Dr. J.J. McMurtry, U of W President and Vice-Chancellor. "We look forward to building on that success."
