Our History

1971

IDIADA starts out as the “Institute for Applied Automotive Research” at the University of Catalonia's Higher Engineering School.
1990

Establishment of IDIADA as an independent company belonging 100% to the Regional Government of Catalonia.
1992

Relocation of the Company's technical facilities to l'Albornar.
1997

First steps towards the international expansion: IDIADA established in Seoul, South Korea.
1998

IDIADA established in Ingolstadt, Germany.
1999

Privatisation and creation of IDIADA Automotive Technology SA.

IDIADA A.T. (80% owned by Applus+ and 20% by the Generalitat of Catalonia) has since 1999 been operating under an exclusive contract at the 331-hectare technology centre near Barcelona (owned by the Generalitat of Catalonia), which includes the most comprehensive independent proving ground, testing laboratories and vehicle development centre for motor vehicles in Europe. The contract runs until 2024 and is renewable until 2049.
2003

IDIADA established in France, Italy, Japan and Taiwan.
2004

IDIADA established in the UK and China.
2006

IDIADA established in India, Poland and the Czech Republic.
2007

IDIADA established in Malaysia.
2008

IDIADA established in Brazil.
2011

IDIADA established in Thailand, USA and Russia.
2012

IDIADA established in Saudi Arabia
2013

2010

IDIADA established in Turkey

2011

IDIADA established in Thailand, USA and Russia

2012

IDIADA established in Saudi Arab

2013

IDIADA established in Belgium
2013

IDIADA established in Belgium.
2016

Inauguration of the IDIADA China Proving Ground
2018

Applus+ acquires KARCO, a vehicle passive safety testing and engineering company in the United States

1971

IDIADA starts out as the “Institute for Applied Automotive Research” at the University of Catalonia's Higher Engineering School.
1990

Establishment of IDIADA as an independent company belonging 100% to the Regional Government of Catalonia.
1992

Relocation of the Company's technical facilities to l'Albornar.
1997

First steps towards the international expansion: IDIADA established in Seoul, South Korea.
1998

IDIADA established in Ingolstadt, Germany.
1999

Privatisation and creation of IDIADA Automotive Technology SA.

IDIADA A.T. (80% owned by Applus+ and 20% by the Generalitat of Catalonia) has since 1999 been operating under an exclusive contract at the 331-hectare technology centre near Barcelona (owned by the Generalitat of Catalonia), which includes the most comprehensive independent proving ground, testing laboratories and vehicle development centre for motor vehicles in Europe. The contract runs until 2024 and is renewable until 2049.
2003

IDIADA established in France, Italy, Japan and Taiwan.
2004

IDIADA established in the UK and China.
2006

IDIADA established in India, Poland and the Czech Republic.
2007

IDIADA established in Malaysia.
2008

IDIADA established in Brazil.
2011

IDIADA established in Thailand, USA and Russia.
2012

IDIADA established in Saudi Arabia
2013

2010

IDIADA established in Turkey

2011

IDIADA established in Thailand, USA and Russia

2012

IDIADA established in Saudi Arab

2013

IDIADA established in Belgium
2013

IDIADA established in Belgium.
2016

Inauguration of the IDIADA China Proving Ground
2018

Applus+ acquires KARCO, a vehicle passive safety testing and engineering company in the United States