MIRA & GAC Debut at 2010 Asian Games with Trumpchi

Global vehicle engineering specialists MIRA Ltd has strongly supported the Guangzhou Automobile Group Co. Ltd (GAC) in making a triumphant debut at the 16th Asian Games in Guangzhou, with its Trumpchi acting as the official vehicle of the event.

The Trumpchi is the result of a successful collaboration between the two companies and more than 500 of the saloons are being used to transport VIPs to and from events during the games – a fitting tribute for the model expected to account for 15-20 per cent of GAC’s revenue within five years.

Guangzhou Automobile Group commissioned MIRA as the test and development partner for the Trumpchi and found that, like many sports, strong teamwork resulted in a winning result – a project completed within the eight-month period predicted.

Professor Xiangdong Huang, President of GAC Engineering Institute, said:

“The Trumpchi is a very significant project for GAC, being our first self branded passenger car, it will help move GAC forward as a respected automotive company. As such, we were keen to ensure that our whole test and development programme was delivered at the highest possible standard, which is why we sought a partner to help us achieve these goals.”

During the programme GAC brought more than 40 of its engineers from China to MIRA’s UK headquarters near Nuneaton, Warwickshire where the international teams worked together. Here GAC benefitted from MIRA’s expertise in developing various elements of the Trumpchi to the required European and Chinese standards, including the noise vibration and harshness (NVH), ride and handling quality and braking.

A programme of validation tests was also conducted at vehicle and system level such as durability, electrical and electro magnetic compatibility (EMC), heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) as well as engine cooling – using MIRA’s climatic wind tunnel and the electrical transient laboratories. 

MIRA project manager David Jenkins commented:

“With demanding deadlines in place to get a class-leading vehicle ready for the Asian Games, both teams were working 24 hours a day to ensure that all of the components and systems on the Trumpchi obtained engineering sign-off. 

“Once these standards had been met GAC then took the programme back to China where our Shanghai team was able to add further value by ensuring it was ready for market. 

“Despite the team’s differing cultures and a 6,000-mile journey between our companies’ headquarters, both teams worked together seamlessly – making this a very rewarding programme to be a part of.~

“The GAC team of engineers were very efficient and knowledgeable about all areas of vehicle development and were a pleasure to work with throughout the project. By working closely with our team at MIRA, both companies have benefitted enormously from the shared expertise in delivering international development projects.”

Professor Xiangdong Huang added: 

“The experience of working with MIRA has been all that we could have hoped for with all deadlines completed on-time and our staff benefitting enormously from the skills that the team has been able to share.

“We thank them for their support and hope there will be other opportunities to continue this partnership in the future.”