Nuneaton-based Horiba MIRA (www.horiba-mira.com) — a world leader in advanced vehicle engineering, research, development and testing — has announced a partnership with China’s CITIC Dicastal Co Ltd (www.dicastal.com), which is the world’s largest manufacturer of aluminium wheels and chassis components.

George Gillespie, Horiba MIRA’s CEO, announced the partnership during Prime Minister Theresa May’s recent three-day
trip to China, accompanied by 50 delegates looking to foster trade opportunities in China and promote the UK as a great place to invest.

The new partnership will see Horiba MIRA provide road load data to improve Dicastal’s fatigue analysis process in the design of aluminium wheels and increase its understanding of how its wheel technology performs on varying road surfaces during a typical vehicle life in China.

This new partnership will also enable the two companies to explore the wider benefits of aluminium as a lightweight alternative to steel.

With China’s increasing focus on electric vehicles, there is a growing demand for the global automotive industry to invest in developing lightweight components.

Dr Gillespie said: “This trade visit to China underpins Horiba MIRA’s commitment to investing in the region, and we are pleased to have completed an agreement with Dicastal during the visit.

“It will enable us to work closely with Dicastal to support the growing electric-vehicle market with innovative lightweight solutions.

"The past few years have seen Horiba MIRA expand rapidly in China, with our China team seeing a 50% increase in staff in the last year alone.”