Cheng Shin Rubber Ind. Co. Ltd., which does business as Maxxis International, has completed construction on its world-class proving ground.
The company held the grand opening of the new site Nov. 16, 2012, in Kunshan City, near Shanghai in Jiangsu Province, China.
Maxxis invested approximately $150 million in the new proving ground, which took several years to plan and construct. Located adjacent to Maxxis’ Shanghai factory, the facility features comprehensive testing capabilities, the most of any tire proving ground in China, according to Maxxis.
The site (pictured), which is dedicated to tire testing, covers 860,000 square meters within a 5.2-kilometer perimeter. Separate courses test tire performance at high speeds and for braking response, dry and wet handling, pass-by noise, ride, durability, NVH (noise, vibration and harshness) and general performance.
The track also contains dedicated testing areas for tires driven in hydroplaning and severe dry/wet maneuvering conditions.
In keeping with the company’s focus on green practices, the test site allows Maxxis to continually upgrade its tires to maximize environmental friendliness. The new proving ground also ensurew that Maxxis tires meet evolving standards for wet grip, fuel efficiency, external noise and other characteristics.
“The opening of this new proving ground is a huge step forward for Maxxis,” said Robert Lo, chairman of Cheng Shin. “As one of the world’s top 10 tire companies, we believe that our investment in this top-flight facility will pay off in ever-improving products for customers around the world.”
