PRODUCTS AND SERVICES Colmis Proving Ground To find out more, scan the QR code or visit: BOOKING NOW FOR WINTER 2026 www.colmis.com Recent experience has shown that arrangements and bookings for cold-test projects are now completed before the early autumn, with bookings for the 2025/2026 season already filling up Need to know » Booking early is crucial, » Peak season is December especially for seasonal clients through March, with February being the busiest month As long summer days stretch across the northern hemisphere, snow-covered tracks and frozen lakes may feel distant. Yet in the world of vehicle development and validation, the 2025/2026 winter testing season is already well underway. Preparations begin months in advance – even earlier than in the past. Rising demand, a narrow testing window and increasingly specific engineering targets have all contributed to a noticeable shift in planning behavior. In the past, OEMs would typically reach out to winter proving grounds in early autumn. Today, most major players have pre-booked their facilities by the end of summer – and those that don’t often find themselves with limited options. “Long-term customers of Colmis benefit from guaranteed access,” emphasizes Mikael Hallin, CEO of Colmis, a world-renowned winter proving ground in the heart of Swedish Lapland. “But for seasonal 74 JUNE 2025 Customer demand for both workshops and test tracks is higher than ever or new clients, booking early is critical. By late summer or early autumn, our workshops are often fully booked for the peak season – especially February, which remains our most in-demand month.” Per Gyllenberg, deputy manager of the test facility, reinforces this point: “Our regular customers understand this dynamic well and lock in their needs early. However, first-time visitors are sometimes surprised by how little availability remains later in the year. We always do our best to accommodate everyone, but the reality is that demand has never been higher.” Each winter, Colmis plays a key role in transforming Arjeplog into a global hub for vehicle testing. This remote Swedish town, right next to the Arctic Circle, has a permanent population of just over 2,300, but nearly doubles in size during the automotive test season. Engineers, technicians and developers from around the world arrive to validate everything from electric drivetrains and ADAS to climate control and vehicle durability in the extreme cold. “Accommodation is just as important as test track and workshop access,” Hallin comments. “In fact, we’ve seen projects delayed simply because preferred lodging options were no longer available. That’s where our sister company, Simloc, plays a key role. Whether it’s hotels, apartments or private houses, Simloc makes every effort to meet the unique requirements of clients – no matter the timing.” Colmis is the permanent winter base for automotive giants including Stellantis, Hyundai and Mando, to name a few, but it also serves a diverse mix of short-term and new entrants each year. “One of the great things about working here is the spirit of collaboration,” Gyllenberg states proudly. “Whether you’re from a long-established OEM or a cutting-edge EV startup, there’s a real sense of shared purpose among everyone here.” With more than 1,850ha of terrain, over 50 multipurpose land and lake tracks, 12,000m 2 of fully equipped workshops, and support services such as mechanics, durability drivers and engineering expertise, the proving ground offers an all-in-one ecosystem. Together with Simloc’s accommodation management, Colmis ensures that every logistical aspect of a testing campaign is covered. And the message is clear: early booking is essential. www.AutomotiveTestingTechnologyInternational.com
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