Hyundai Motor Group opens European test centre in Germany

Hyundai Motor Group has opened a new 150 million euro facility at its Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center (HMETC) in Rüsselsheim am Main, Germany. Known as Square Campus, the site marks the Group’s most significant investment in European R&D since the Round Campus was inaugurated in 2003 and represents a major step in its strategy to strengthen innovation and engineering capabilities across the region.

The new facility will play a central role in the development of future Hyundai, Kia and Genesis models for the European market and is designed to support the creation of advanced technologies and to accelerate the Group’s efforts to deliver vehicles tailored to the expectations of European customers.

Tyrone Johnson, managing director of Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center, said: “The investment at Square Campus is a clear sign of our commitment to the region and reflects the importance of Europe in our long-term growth strategy. The extensive new capabilities at HMETC give us more independence and flexibility, while creating exciting new opportunities for collaboration between our brands. Fundamentally, Square Campus will also support us as we continue to grow our market share in Europe, developing new vehicles and technologies designed around the needs of our customers.”

The site features
Covering 25,000m², Square Campus houses the Group’s largest semi-anechoic chamber, enabling unrestricted noise,vibration and harshness (NVH) and drive-by noise testing in all conditions. The site also features advanced dyno facilities for testing electric, hybrid and internal combustion powertrains, a new EV charging laboratory, a ‘state of the art’ driving simulator, and expanded electronics development capabilities, including over-the-air updates (OTA), cybersecurity, and advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

These facilities allow HMETC to conduct comprehensive testing and validation under real-world conditions, while reducing reliance on external environments. The investment also supports the Group’s broader strategy to lead in advanced mobility technologies and reinforces its global testing and knowledge-sharing network.

Square Campus has been designed with sustainability in mind, incorporating recycled materials, photovoltaic panels and heat pump systems. These features align with Hyundai Motor Group’s environmental goals, including its ambition to achieve zero tailpipe emissions globally by 2045.
The expansion also supports the continued growth of HMETC’s workforce, which has increased by 20% since 2024. The centre now employs more than 500 people, with the new facility providing a collaborative environment for cross-functional teams to drive forward the Group’s vision for sustainable, connected mobility.

Development activities will also continue at HMETC’s Nürburgring facility, which received a 13-million-euro upgrade in January 2025. The investment added 834m² of new testing space, including dedicated workshops and specialised laboratories.