GM’s Advanced Technology Track in Oshawa is Now Open

Following an investment of $170 million in May 2019, the new test track for autonomous vehicles and advanced technologies built by General Motors near its Oshawa assembly plant is now open.

The McLaughlin Advanced Technology Track is part of the automaker’s Canadian Technical Centre (CTC), which has campuses in Oshawa and Markham developing all sorts of hardware and software.

An official grand opening event with external audiences is being planned for early spring, pending COVID-19 restrictions. In the meantime, the 55-acre site is operational internally for GM engineers and other members of the workforce.

It features an oval-shaped design for continuous driving and four lanes with speeds ranging from 60-100 km/h.

Photo: General Motors

GM says the track will assist with the development and integration of software and hardware for advanced vehicle systems, including vehicle motion embedded controls, advanced driver assistance systems, autonomous vehicle systems, infotainment and advanced technology work.

It also builds on GM’s existing vehicle testing presence in Canada, which is already taking place at the Kapuskasing Proving Grounds in northern Ontario, where a 3.6-km advanced test track combines with 30 cold cells capable of recreating weather conditions of -45 degrees Celsius. The Car Guide was invited to a unique presentation of the Kapuskasing facility in early March, so don’t miss our story.

During the reveal of the all-new 2022 Chevrolet Bolt EUV electric crossover last Sunday, GM Canada president and CEO Scott Bell said that Canadian teams in Oshawa and Kapuskasing played an active role in the development and testing of the new Bolt EUV—the first Chevrolet vehicle to offer Super Cruise semi-autonomous driving technology.

Watch: 2022 Chevrolet Bolt and Bolt EUV are ready to hit the road

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