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 Government of Catalonia) has been operating under an exclusive contract from the 351-hectare technology centre near Barcelona (owned by the Government of Catalonia) since 1999. The contract to operate the business and use the assets runs until September 2024 and although it is renewable in five-year periods until 2049, it has been decided that there will be no further extensions but a tender for a new 20 or 25 year concession.
2003

IDIADA established in France, Italy and Japan.
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

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 Government of Catalonia) has been operating under an exclusive contract from the 351-hectare technology centre near Barcelona (owned by the Government of Catalonia) since 1999. The contract to operate the business and use the assets runs until September 2024 and although it is renewable in five-year periods until 2049, it has been decided that there will be no further extensions but a tender for a new 20 or 25 year concession.
2003

IDIADA established in France, Italy and Japan.
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

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