The country’s first automobile wind tunnel has been launched in Shanghai in a bid to support the Chinese automotive industry in its important transition from "made in China" to "designed in China".The Shanghai Automotive Wind Tunnel Center, which can simulate all kinds of driving environments and test vehicles’ basic standards, is essential for research and development. Researchers said with the technology localized, businesses will be able to reduce costs by 15%.
This is a national project undertaken by Shanghai’s Tongji University. Construction began in 2004 and the total cost of the center was RMB490 million ($72 million).
Shanghai Daily reports the new facility is in Jiading District, which has become an "auto city" with a vehicle inspection and examination center, a test-drive center and a new-energy center.