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Test drives in extreme cold drive millions of Yuan into the local economy
01:42

With temperatures plunging to minus 20 degrees Celsius, cars seen drifting along icy tracks in Heihe in northeast China's Heilongjiang Province. They are new models of auto companies undergoing performance tests in extreme cold. Between November and March is the busiest season, when the city hosts more than 100 domestic and overseas auto enterprises.

Before mass production, automobiles need to complete test drives in areas with extreme weather to ensure the exceptional reliability, drivability and safety, which brings opportunities to Heihe, located in an extremely cold region of China. In recent years, Heihe, which borders Russia has been developing its automotive testing industry to boost its economy. After years of development, the city has attracted a number of national-level automobile inspection and testing institutions.

Heihe's bid in the test drive business began in 2006 when the city set up a test drive leading group, the first government organization in the country specializing in providing test run services for auto enterprises. Today, auto giants like Audi, Volvo, Volkswagen, General Motors, Hyundai and many more have all set up bases in Heihe.

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