12/17/2025
We're car people but haven't heard much about the proving grounds which pique our interest - mostly around N. Phoenix. We've heard one closed or was sold off...so this caught my eye...
Since Toyota's December 2021 purchase, Toyota Arizona Proving Ground, (TAPG) has been available for rental and long-term residencies to 3rd parties seeking closed-course vehicle testing resources. Intertek Transportation Technologies manages and operates the facility under the moniker Arizona Mobility Test Center, (AMTC). On July 2, 2025, Toyota Motor North America announced its allocation of more than $50 million in construction of new amenities for vehicle and automotive technology testing and development, affirming its commitment to the AZ location.
AMTC at TAPG is located in the Sonoran Desert near Wittmann, AZ. It's a teeny cowboy/horse-friendly town about 60 miles northwest of Phoenix. Folks driving from Phoenix to Vegas quickly pass through it. The facility covers approximately 11,650 acres and has 77 miles of testing surfaces with 60 miles of paved roads, more than 50 miles of off-road and dirt tracks and a 5.5-mile oval track! Who knew?! Toyota established the Arizona Proving Ground in 1993, and it has been home to testing more than 50 Toyota and Lexus vehicles for the N. American market since then.
On Dec. 10, 2025, Toyota Motor North America celebrated the completion of new construction and updated offerings at its Arizona Proving Ground, AMTC. Joined by local government officials during an event, Toyota leaders revealed the enhancements for vehicle and automotive technology testing and development.
“We are proud to strengthen the offerings at our world-class facility in Arizona, not only for Toyota, but for any company that has use for these amenities,” said Monte Kaehr, group vice president of Vehicle Development Engineering at Toyota Motor North America’s Research and Development.
The updates are part of a previously announced investment featuring an all-new 5.5-mile oval track that was constructed inside the existing 10-mile oval and uses part of its south straightaway. The new oval is available for vehicle mileage accumulation, stop-and-go testing, and various dynamics and higher speed evaluations. The north straightaway of the original oval has been rebuilt into a new dog bone straight course for various vehicle and advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) evaluations, while also incorporating a world-class 1.75-mile coast down surface to evaluate vehicle efficiency and fuel economy.
Significant new off-road test facilities offer greater development area for body-on-frame and off-road capable vehicles while an all-new noise pass-by area allows for testing and evaluation of vehicle sound emissions to help meet global regulations. Other refreshes include an improved 1.5-mile ride and handling track used for engineering vehicle performance, tire evaluation and wet testing, and an upcoming repaving of the vehicle dynamics pad.
“TAPG is an important asset for our North American R&D team, and we are planning continued investment here as vehicle development needs change and evolve for new technology. Opening our facility to the industry has allowed us to offset the cost of improvements and make an ever-better facility both for ourselves and for the automotive and mobility industry overall” said Stefan Young, vice president at Toyota Motor North America’s Research and Development. “These improvements are also important to attract other companies to the region.”
