Work is underway on a Texas automotive research and training center backed by data and software company Solera Holdings with an opening scheduled for mid-year. The center — called CESVI LIV NA — will offer mechanics, collision technicians, and vehicle insurance assessors hands-on training for advanced vehicles.

Center employees will focus their research in the areas of collision, eleoctromechnaical, paint, estimation and heavy trucks.

CESVI-LIV NA is part of Solera Technical Centers (STC), a joint venture between Solera and the global insurance company MAPFRE. The Texas center will join the venture’s centers in Brazil and China, and become part of a global CESVI initiative, which began in Spain.

Organizers are developing a number of one- and two-day courses for all skill levels, according to Chris Mullen, executive director of CESVI LIV NA and Solera’s vice president of research and development. The topics and length of additional courses will depend on client needs, she said.

“Focused on providing factual, credible and documented research, CESVI LIV NA will curate data on reparability, diagnostics and procedures,” according to an announcement from Solera. “The center will also disseminate this research throughout training and deliver expert consultancy on advanced technology trends.”

The center is located in Justin, TX, near Solera’s headquarters in Westlake.