FEV Engine Technology, Inc. Announces Major Expansion in Michigan

FEV Engine Technology will invest $4.3 million to expand its facilities in Auburn Hills, Mich. The Michigan Economic Development Corporation (MEDC) approved a Single Business Tax credit with a value of $1.1 million over seven years, clearing the way for the expansion, according to Robert Last, FEV’s vice president of operations and communications.

“We appreciate the dedication and cooperation that Governor Jennifer Granholm and the MEDC have demonstrated in making this expansion economically viable in Michigan,” said Last. “Our expansion in Auburn Hills will enable FEV to add some 180 highly desirable technical jobs over the life of the project, which is a critical enabler for enhancing the engineering and testing services we provide to our customers.”

A Win for Michigan

“In this fiercely competitive world, strong, growing companies like FEV will help advance Michigan,” said Michigan Governor Jennifer M. Granholm. “The FEV expansion is a ‘win’ for Michigan and demonstrates our leadership in automotive research and development. We are committed to pursue additional international investment in Michigan; our partnership with FEV exemplifies that commitment.”

Last added that the City of Auburn Hills also worked closely with FEV to ensure that the company could continue to expand in the community it has called home since 1994. The Auburn Hills City Council recently approved a 12-year tax abatement valued at $288,000. “The combination of the tax credit from MEDC and the Auburn Hills tax abatement supported our internal operational considerations and made Southeast Michigan the obvious choice for this new expansion,” said Last.

New Test Cells to Meet Customer Demand

Specifically, the expansion will include a combined office and warehouse building to be constructed on a six-and-a-half-acre parcel of land adjacent to FEV’s current facility. The building will eventually be expanded in one or more steps, to a maximum size of approximately 130,000 square feet. By providing the space to increase the company’s Michigan-based headcount, the new facility will also enable the future construction of additional new test cell facilities, which are needed to meet strongly increasing customer demand. The anticipated completion date is August, 2007.

“This investment in Michigan is crucial to FEV’s future growth plans,” said Last. “We are continuously adapting in an effort to be one of the major innovation engines within the transportation industry. The perception at the moment is that this industry needs a new direction. Our goal in the short term is to harness and direct innovation to help our industry reinvent the roadmap.”