Toyota invests $50 million in Arizona vehicle testing site

By Hailey Mensik

Toyota is investing $50 million to improve its vehicle testing site in Wittman and has already broken ground on construction of a new oval track, an off-road park and other enhancements, according to the company.

Along with that investment, Toyota also planning to build a new facility on the existing site – about 50 miles northwest of Phoenix – for developing advanced driver assistance technology.

Toyota set up shop at the site, called the Arizona Mobility Test Center at Toyota Arizona Proving Grounds, in 1993. It’s where the global automaker has tested more than 50 Toyota and Lexus vehicles for the North American market.

In 2021, Toyota opened the facility up to other industry players to use as a testing center. Since then, the site has hosted 37 different companies that have tested over 280 vehicles, ultimately conducting about 203,400 hours of testing.

Most of the newly announced construction and improvements will be completed later this year, according to the company.

The testing facility spans over 11,000 acres and currently has 77 miles of testing surfaces, 60 miles of paved roads, 50 miles of off-road and dirt tracks and a high-speed oval track.

Wittman also site of proposed BNSF rail hub

The new investment comes as the north Phoenix area is experiencing an industrial boom, driven by Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s $165 billion plant currently under construction.

Wittman is a rural town about 30 miles west of TSMC. An even bigger industrial development in the works in Wittman is a planned $3.2 billion BNSF railway hub across over 4,000 acres. That project is up for a rezoning vote from the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors in August, which could clear the way for its development, though residents have been vocally opposed.

Toyota’s research and development initiatives have landed it thousands of patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office – ultimately, more than any other automaker over the past decade, according to the company.

“Toyota has been operating in Arizona for over 30 years, and this affirms our commitment to maintaining a presence in the region,” a spokesperson said in an emailed statement.

“The facility is core to Toyota’s research and development of vehicles for the global market, and this investment helps to improve our capabilities. Plus, since the facility is available for rental and long-term residencies, it can better attract other companies to the region who need these resources.”

Final Thoughts

Toyota’s $50 million expansion in Wittman reinforces Arizona’s fast-growing reputation as a national hub for innovation, mobility, and industrial growth. With decades of automotive testing history and a new focus on advanced driver assistance technologies, the Arizona Mobility Test Center is evolving into a key player in the future of transportation.

For out-of-state buyers, investors, and business leaders eyeing Arizona, this signals long-term confidence in the region’s infrastructure, talent, and economic potential. Between cutting-edge auto tech, semiconductor giants, and planned rail hubs, northwest Maricopa County is quickly becoming one of the most strategically positioned areas in the state.

Whether you're moving here to build a career, a business, or a life—this is where innovation meets opportunity. Arizona’s next chapter is already underway.