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After 50 years, GM pulls the plug on cold-weather testing facility in northern Ontario

After 50 years, GM pulls the plug on cold-weather testing facility in northern Ontario

General Motors is permanently closing the Kapuskasing Proving Ground for vehicle cold-weather testing.

The North American automaker has begun “suspending operations” at the 272-acre facility located just west of the city on Government Road (Highway 11), a spokesperson said via email.

When asked why GM was closing the facility after more than 50 years, GM Canada communications director Natalie Nankil responded: “Our testing and validation processes prioritize continuous improvement, and we have enhanced our testing capability to validate our technology at the component, system, equipment and vehicle level.” .

Nankil said a small number of employees were affected.

The facility opened in 1973 and was used by the company for cold-weather endurance testing to evaluate GM’s entire vehicle lineup, from full-size pickups to electric vehicles.

According to GM’s website, the property is home to a 2.2-mile test track and 30 cold cells that can reach temperatures of -45 C. Vehicles were tested 24 hours a day, seven days a week.