Press Kit: Automotive Research and Development Centre (ARDC)

University of Windsor / FCA Canada

Automotive Research and Development Centre Fact Sheet

Location: 3939 Rhodes Drive, Windsor, Ontario
 
Site: 93,000 square metres
 
Employment: 800 positions
 
History: Opened in May 1996 with a $30 million (CDN) investment, it was the first partnership of its kind in Canada that linked industry and academia. With a total Research and Development spend in Canada now exceeding $1 billion, the ARDC benefits all partners. The facility is equipped with six road-test simulators, proprietary software development and a range of research and development support facilities. 
 
Research Areas:                   
  • Vehicle and System Level Durability
  • Emissions and Fuel Economy
  • Elastomer Characterization
  • Automotive Lighting Research
  • Steering Column and Component Development
  • Steering System Durability Testing    
  • Design Engineering including Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)
  • Vehicle Safety
  • Advanced Digital Tools
  • Automotive Corrosion Research
  • Vehicle Seating Systems Development
  • Brake Systems Development
  • Vehicle Ride and Handling Development
 
Engineering Research Laboratories:
  • Vehicle Dynamics Simulator Lab
  • Vehicle Structural Development Lab
  • Automotive Lighting Research Facility
  • Elastomer Characterization Lab
  • Steering Column and Component Lab
  • Automotive Corrosion Research Lab
  • Steering System Durability Test lab
  • Vehicle Seating Lab
  • Chassis and Brake Development Lab
 
Educational Partnerships:
  • Founding partner - University of Windsor (Windsor, ON)
  • McMaster University (Hamilton, ON)
  • University of Waterloo (Waterloo, ON)
  • Politecnico di Torino (Torino, Italy)
  • Université de Sherbrooke (Québec)
  • McGill University (Québec)

Contact Information

LouAnn Gosselin
Office: (519) 973-2253
Cell: (519) 984-2600
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