Nardo Technical Center
Used by automakers other than Porsche
Porsche acquired the Nardo Technical Center in 2012. Since then, other automakers besides Porsche have also used it as a testing and verification facility.
Founded in 1975, the Nardo Technical Center (NTC) in Puglia, southern Italy, has been used by automakers from around the world, including Porsche, to carry out vehicle testing. The 700-hectare site includes a 12.6km circular circuit, a 6.2km handling course, and many other facilities for testing vehicles under development.
Since Porsche acquired NTC in 2012, it has become an integral part of Porsche Engineering’s comprehensive development and testing capabilities. NTC operates year-round and supports other automakers, including Porsche. Furthermore, NTC’s testing capabilities have been continuously modernized to optimize testing of vehicle technology. A software division in nearby Lecce is scheduled to begin operations in 2023.
In recent years, Porsche has announced plans to develop further NTCs to further expand the range of its services, but has decided to temporarily suspend these development plans due to a combination of factors. Just recently, Porsche SE, Volkswagen’s holding company, announced an impairment loss of approximately 20 billion euros (approximately 3.2 trillion yen) in its consolidated financial statements ending in December 2024. Porsche explains that this decision is the result of discussions and considerations with various stakeholders over the past few months, taking into account social, environmental, and economic perspectives. In particular, the current challenging economic environment surrounding the global automotive industry was an important factor in this decision.
The NTC will remain an important facility for Porsche’s comprehensive development and testing, and will continue to test development vehicles for Porsche and various other automakers.
