Spain auto testing major to set up unit at Donakonda

Ongole: Applus IDIADA, a leading company from Spain specialising in providing design, engineering, testing, and homologation services to the automotive industry worldwide is about to start construction of its vehicle testing facility at Donakonda in Prakasam district by October.

The Applus IDIADA group in association with S Balan group of India submitted a proposal to the government in April 2016 to set up a Smart Vehicle Development Centre in the proposed Donakonda industrial corridor. After formal approval from the government, the company representatives from Spain, China, and India paid multiple visits to Donakonda and Ongole to inspect the available land and other facilities.

The Applus IDIADA started working with Solutioneyes Consultancy Services of S Balan group in 2010 and became one of the top 10 in the automotive sector worldwide. The joint venture of the two companies is expecting 1,000 acres land in Donakonda and submitted a plan of construction with 3.5 km in length and 1 km wide land. The company said that the length and radius of the plot are required for tests of the automobiles with minimum speeds of 200 kmph.

A delegation of the company, including Mandip S Tack, director, Indian business unit of Applus IDIADA group, Punit Balan, director of S Balan group met the forests, environment, science, and technology minister Siddha Raghavarao on Wednesday in Ongole and discussed the developments.

They explained to the minister that the company is going to invest Rs. 2,000 crore now and provides employment to 1,000 people. The minister asked the company representatives to start construction works by Dasara in October had been the formal decision is taken.