FOWLERVILLE, MI — Aisin Holdings of America, Inc. (AHA), the holding company for all Aisin Group operations in North America, celebrated the grand opening of its 878-acre automotive components test track and proving ground in Handy Township, MI. The celebration took place before nearly 200 people, including Michigan Governor Jennifer Granholm, auto industry executives and local business and community leaders.
Officially named FT Techno of America (FTTA), but known as Aisin’s Fowlerville Proving Ground, the new venture is a member of the Aisin Group, a tier one worldwide automotive components supplier with global sales of more than $15 billion in 2004.
The new proving ground, Aisin’s first in North America, and third worldwide (it has two in Japan), is research and development-based (non-manufacturing), with supporting test surfaces of various lengths and lane widths used to develop and evaluate a variety of Aisin products and applications, such as transmissions, brakes, drivetrain and chassis and body systems and components.
“We chose Fowlerville for many reasons, including its proximity to both Michigan State University and the University of Michigan,” said Yuasa. “We also believe it is important to be part of a stable, growing community like Fowlerville, which has already made us feel welcome. We look forward to becoming a valued neighbor and pledge to become a good corporate citizen.”
FTTA President Masanori “Mack” Yuasa, a 24-year veteran of Aisin Seiki, said the Fowlerville location was selected after two years of considering sites elsewhere in Michigan and in other states.
“The automotive business is extremely competitive,” Yuasa told grand opening attendees, “but competition among Midwestern states is even greater. With the participation of Governor Granholm’s administration, it quickly became clear that this facility was going to be located somewhere in Michigan. The governor made it easy for us to make the right decision.”
He added that the Economic Development Council of Livingston County, Handy Township and the Michigan Economic Development Corporation were also instrumental in the selection process.
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