It has been 10 years since Porsche acquired Nardò Technical Center (NTC) in Italy. During that time, the proving ground, which is operated by Porsche Engineering, has grown immensely as renovations have been made and additions for high-performance vehicle validation and testing have been implemented.
As Michael Steiner, a member of the executive board for R&D at Porsche and chairman of the shareholders’ committee of Porsche Engineering, said, “The acquisition of the Nardò Technical Center by Porsche in 2012 was an important enrichment for the whole Porsche Group. From the very beginning, Nardò has been a cornerstone for our vehicle development and testing – due to its special tracks as well as in-depth testing expertise. During the last 10 years, it has evolved substantially, enabling ourselves and customers from all over the world to develop and validate future vehicles even more efficiently.”
Over the last decade, the number of permanent employees at NTC has grown by more than 50% (from 105 in 2012 to over 160 in 2022). The engineers are fully integrated into the global innovation and development network of Porsche Engineering, ensuring a seamless transition between development, virtual testing and real-world analysis.
“Thanks to the support of Porsche and Porsche Engineering, the Nardò Technical Center has underlined its role in the automotive industry over the last decade. At the same time, we were able to contribute to the growth of the entire local ecosystem in Apulia. We feel deeply connected with this prestigious region, its people and potential, and strive to continue this successful path,” added Antonio Gratis, managing director of the NTC.
“We are all strongly committed to improving the quality of NTC’s services every day and thus contribute to the technological evolution that is sweeping the automotive industry,” continued Gratis.