Earlier this month, Visteon officially opened its first high-tech automotive technology testing laboratory in Bulgaria, adding to the company’s existing global footprint of high-tech lab facilities in Mexico and India.
The ceremony was attended by Visteon President and CEO Sachin Lawande, US Ambassador to Bulgaria Kenneth Merten, Minister of Innovation and Growth Milena Stoycheva, and Deputy Mayor of Finance and Healthcare of Sofia Municipality Ivan Vasilev.
“The automotive industry is transforming rapidly, and much of this transformation is driven by electronics and software. As the complexity and sophistication of these electronics systems continue to rise, so do the expectations of our customers on quality and reliability,” said Sachin Lawande, Visteon President and CEO. “Our ambition is to deliver the best automotive electronics products in the industry with uncompromising quality, and this new lab in Sofia will play a big role in helping us achieve our goals with customers in Europe.”
The new facility represents a significant investment of over US$10 million. Staffed by a team of more than 70 highly skilled engineers, the lab rigorously tests technological products developed by Visteon’s European engineering centres for global automakers.
The lab’s testing procedures encompass the entire product lifecycle, from the initial design phase all the way through to mass production. Products like instrument panels and infotainment systems for leading European automakers are subjected to a wide range of tests simulating a variety of real-world disturbances and extreme situations in and outside of the vehicle. The aim is to ensure maximum reliability and safety of the technology.
Visteon’s team of electronics, electrical, and mechanical engineers will conduct a comprehensive suite of durability tests to assess the technology’s ability to withstand climatic and temperature extremes ranging from -40degC to 85degC, vibrations and shocks across different temperatures, frequencies, and acceleration levels, particle and water ingress, and various disruptions to a vehicle’s signal and power lines.
Notably, the lab is the only facility in Bulgaria equipped to perform electromagnetic compatibility and immunity testing. All testing procedures adhere to internationally recognized standards such as CISPR 25, ISO 11452-2, ISO 11452-4, and ISO 11452-9.
The lab uses state-of-the-art equipment specifically sourced from Germany, Austria, the USA, and Asia. This equipment is fully compliant with the rigorous standards established by international standardization organizations ISO and IEC.
The new testing lab adds to the extensive portfolio of services offered by Visteon’s Sofia technology centre and reinforces the critical role of the Bulgarian engineering hub as the backbone of Visteon’s European operations.
All photos: Visteon
