Structure

The Advanced Centre for Automotive Research and Testing (ACART) is a collaborative undertaking between Ford Motor Company of Australia Limited (Ford Australia), the University of Melbourne and the Victorian Government. ACART will provide the local automotive and transport industries with state-of-the-art infrastructure and highly skilled personnel for advanced research and testing. This capability is required in Victoria so that local automotive manufacturers can continue to develop world-class products with increasingly sophisticated technology. This trend is expected to continue in the future as emissions regulations tighten and control systems throughout the vehicle become more intelligent.

ACART is located at two nodes in Victoria: one at the Ford Australia Proving Ground in Lara, and the other at the University of Melbourne in Parkville. Ford Australia and the University of Melbourne own the facilities at their respective sites, and contractual agreements between these parties, as well as external clients, will cover individual project work.
ACART is administered through a Steering Committee, consisting of one senior representative from each of Ford Australia and the University of Melbourne and a third independent committee member.