Ground broken for $50 million California City proving ground
Hyundai presents California City with two new police cars
BY BILL DEAVER
CALIFORNIA CITY - East Kern gained another partner in the global
economy Tuesday when Hyundai Automotive Group broke ground for a $50 million
automotive proving ground here.
GROUNDBREAKING - California City and Hyundai Motors officials joined to ceremonially turn the first shovels of earth at Hyundai's new North America Proving ground in California City Tuesday afternoon.
California City Mayor Larry Adams and a host of city, county, and state officials formally welcomed the Korean company and its chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mong-Koo Chung, to the city.
Adams said Hyundai's arrival in California City is one more example of increasing cooperation between peoples of different nations.
"Yesterday I spent two hours on the phone with a representative of Mexican President Vicente Fox," discussing efforts to educate inmates at the city's prison, Adams said.
"This morning I was interviewed by Japanese television about the private prison," Adams continued.
"And this afternoon, I am fortunate to be here with a Korean company that is investing $50,000 million in our city," he said.
Adams said these experiences have led him to believe "that if you don't have a passion for the future, and you don't have a driving desire to be part of that future, you are destined to live in the past!"
"This project, this cooperation, this bringing together of these cultures, is the future - not just the future of California City but probably the future of the entire free world, and I am honored to be a part of it," Adams said.
Designing for consumers
Chairman Chung said the 4,300 acre proving ground, "will ensure that future Hyundai and Kia vehicles are designed with the North American consumer in mind... this state-of-the-art testing facility will help us do so."
"California City provides the ideal site for automotive testing and, thanks to the support of the local community, we will be able to test our U.S.-spec vehicles year-round," Chung said.
"None of this would have been possible without the generous support of Mayor Adams and city officials. As the newest corporate citizen of California City, we pledge to do our best to promote the development of the city as well as to advance the automotive industry in California.
New police vehicles
After the ceremonial groundbreaking in an air-conditioned tent near where the facility's 30,000 square foot office building will be built, Chung presented Adams with the keys to Hyundai and KIA SUVs equipped for police service with the city's name already painted on the doors. The two vehicles, equipped with the latest in slim, light-emitting diode emergency light bars, performed their first official assignment escorting Ching and his party back to Highway 58.
Open in late 2004
Expected to be open for business in late 2004, the proving ground will be Hyundai's only such facility in North America. It will include a 6.4 mile oval track, vehicle dynamics area, a vehicle handling course, paved hill road, and several special surface roads in addition to the office complex.
Tests to check braking, handling, and durability of production and concept vehicles will be performed at the proving grounds.
Leaders express support
City leaders expressed their support for the new facility, with Planning Commission Chairman Pierre Poudevigne saying the proving ground "is an opportunity for growth in the area, to extend out city limits to Highway 58 and to bring retail businesses to the city."
"It's impressive the amount of corporate clout in California City right this minute, bringing this business to the city," said Councilman Dr. Nick Lessenvitch, noting that the heads of all of Hyundai's North American operations were present. "It's a treat to have them here."
"It's a great project for all of East Kern," City Manager Jack Stewart said. "They will hire locally, they will purchase locally - and in 18 months we can come back and watch the cars go around!"
Other officials attending the ceremony included Nelson Chan, representing California Governor Gray Davis, Russ Johnson representing State Senator Roy Ashburn, Mary Lou Priest representing Assemblyman Bill Maze, and James Welling, representing Supervisor Don Maben.
The new proving ground is located south of California City and about
10 miles east of Mojave. The city is in the process of annexing some 23
square miles that will include the site.
By Bill Deaver Mojave Desert News
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