ICAR Talking to Proterra about Large-Vehicle Test Lab

2010-05-04

ICAR researchers are using computer modeling to look for possible improvements to Proterra’s manufacturing process. Bob Geolas, executive director of the International Center for Automotive Research, said he’s talking with the company about creating a testing lab for large vehicles. Jeff Granato, Proterra’s chief executive officer, said his company sees ICAR and its automotive engineering school as a way to stay abreast of technological developments and to recruit talent.

He said Proterra considered an alliance with the Center for Automotive Research at Ohio State University as part of its exploration of an Ohio location but felt it “would be able to get more attention at ICAR.” Proterra’s planned factory in Greenville, South Carolina is expected to turn out 3,000 buses a year.

Granato said ICAR was one of the biggest reasons his company chose Greenville for a plant over sites in Ohio or Indiana. The chief executive of American Titanium Works, which plans a titanium mill in Laurens County, said the company wanted to be near ICAR because it hopes to sell its product to the automotive industry.

Their testimony is strong evidence that Clemson University’s research park in Greenville has begun to fulfill its promise of attracting not only white-collar research jobs but also blue-collar manufacturing positions.