The upgrades, slated for completion later this year and into 2026, will transform the proving grounds into one of the most robust vehicle and technology testing environments in North America. Among the new construction projects are a 5.5-mile high-speed oval track, a 1.5-mile ride and handling course, a dedicated off-road park, and improved surfaces for evaluating braking, durability, and maneuverability.
The proving grounds, now formally known as the Arizona Mobility Test Center at Toyota Arizona Proving Grounds (AMTC at TAPG), are located in the Sonoran Desert near Wittmann, roughly an hour northwest of Phoenix. The site spans more than 11,000 acres and includes 77 miles of test surfaces—60 of them paved—with an emphasis on both performance and durability under harsh desert conditions.
“This investment signals the importance of Arizona as a center for vehicle development and innovation,” said Stefan Young, Vice President of Research and Development at Toyota Motor North America. “These enhancements strengthen our ability to test vehicles rigorously and efficiently, not only for Toyota’s North American lineup but also for the broader mobility industry.”
An Industry Resource Expands Further
While the proving grounds have long served as a hub for Toyota’s vehicle testing—dating back to their establishment in 1993—the facility has operated under a management agreement with Intertek Transportation Technologies since 2021. Under that arrangement, it has opened its doors to the broader automotive and technology sectors. Since then, 37 different companies have logged over 200,000 hours of vehicle testing across the site’s many tracks and courses.
Planned upgrades include:
- North Straight (1.7 miles) – For straight-line and coast-down testing, completion expected in Fall 2025.
- Off-road Park – Designed for truck and off-road capability testing, also due Fall 2025.
- VDA Resurface (17 acres) – A versatile testing area slated for completion in 2026.
Several other projects—including the oval track, ride and handling course, and coast-down loop—are already complete and in use.
In addition, Toyota has announced plans for a future advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) development facility at the site, aimed at furthering research into semi-autonomous and safety-enhancing technologies.
State Leaders Welcome Expansion
The announcement was met with praise from Arizona state officials who have championed the region as a rising hub for automotive innovation.
“Again and again, Arizona is proving why businesses move to, stay in, and invest in our state,” said Governor Katie Hobbs. “Toyota’s continued commitment not only strengthens our economy but places Arizona at the cutting edge of transportation technology.”
Representative Leo Biasiucci, chairman of the Arizona House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, echoed those sentiments. “I’m grateful to Toyota for their investment in Wittmann and their continued push for innovation. Arizona is proud to be their partner in this journey.”
A Broader Mobility Strategy
Toyota’s renewed investment in Arizona complements a larger strategic push by the automaker to expand its North American operations. The company, which employs nearly 64,000 workers across the continent, will soon launch battery production at its new plant in North Carolina, scheduled to open in spring 2025.
With 14 manufacturing facilities and more electrified vehicles on the road than any other automaker, Toyota currently offers 32 hybrid and electric models under its Toyota and Lexus brands. The Arizona expansion aligns with its long-term goal to lead in the development of sustainable and technologically advanced mobility solutions.
As the automotive sector continues to shift toward electrification and automation, Toyota’s Arizona proving grounds—and the desert terrain that defines them—are poised to play a central role in shaping the vehicles of tomorrow.