The Shyft Group Inc., a North American leader in specialty vehicle manufacturing and assembly for the commercial and fleet vehicle industries (including last-mile delivery, specialty service, and vocation-specific upfit markets), has announced the opening of a dedicated research and development center, located in Plymouth, Michigan. 

“Opening a dedicated R&D facility reflects our commitment to constant innovation,” said Daryl Adams, president of The Shyft Group. “Our strategic EV chassis development initiative, announced in June, is just the first in a number of future developments from Shyft Innovations that will drive advancements in both mobility and alternative propulsion.”

The 40,000-square-foot R&D facility will be home to Shyft Innovations, The Shyft Group’s dedicated mobility research and development team, which includes the EV Chassis Engineering group. The building will be used for product development, prototyping and design, with a focus on a range of future products and leading technologies. An all-electric chassis platform is currently under development. Early prototypes will be assembled at the facility to support the EV chassis‘ soft launch towards the end of 2022. 

“The growth we’re experiencing across the Shyft portfolio speaks to our strong end markets and our products’ ability to uniquely meet the needs of our customers. This new facility, our growing team of innovative leaders and professionals, and our commitment to research and development will position us to meet the needs of our customers for years to come,” added Eric Fisher, vice president and general manager, Shyft Innovations.

The facility officially opened on Sept.