Yucca, Arizona - Chysler Testing Grounds From 30,000 ft

Chrysler LLC dedicated its new Arizona Proving Ground in northwest Arizona Friday, marking a $34.9 million investment with another $10 million in upgrades planned.

The 3,840-acre facility is located on the former Ford proving ground land in Yucca. Chrysler will a 70-foot-high test grade, along with several new test road surfaces. The proving ground is scheduled to open during the second quarter of 2008 and will create 75 jobs ranging from engineering positions, to mechanics and project management.

Vehicles in development will be driven more than a million miles a year on muddy roads, twisted asphalt, and on a high-speed, five-mile oval track. The extreme conditions also include corrosion testing, water testing and salt immersion.

Chrysler previously owned and continues to operate a proving ground in Wittmann, northwest of Phoenix. That land was sold to Toll Brothers/Meritage Homes.

The Yucca proving ground was owned by Ford Motor Co. from 1954 until it sold to Chrysler in October. Gov. Janet Napolitano put forward a $500,000 incentive package to keep Ford in Arizona, but the company decided to consolidate operations in Michigan.

The Chrysler Foundation presented a $5,000 check to Kingman High School at the dedication to support the school's For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology Robotics program and its Arizona Tech Prep Career and Technical Education program.

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