Magna E-Car Systems, a partnership between Magna International and the Stronach Group, earlier this month announced the grand opening of its latest facility, a plant in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, that manufactures components for hybrid and electric vehicles.
The Magna E-Car Systems plant will have the capacity to manufacture a variety of EV components in high-volume under one roof, and next year will be able to produce 500,000 electric drive vehicle components. Production has already started, and at full production, the plant will be capable of manufacturing electric motors, power electronics, battery chargers, and vehicle controllers, enabling it to assemble complete electric vehicle drivetrains and further strengthen the manufacturing supply chain.
Approximately 95 employees make electric motors, inverters and electronic powertrain controllers for the Ford Focus Electric, as well as inverters for the Fisker Karma and assorted components for other global customers.
"For Magna E-Car Systems, this new plant represents an exciting step forward in the growth and development of our business," said Kevin Pavlov, Chief Operating Officer, Magna E-Car Systems. "We have a team that is second to none, a dedicated and highly skilled workforce, and we have a simple mission: to support our customers and help protect the environment through green technologies."
Including Grand Blanc Township, Magna E-Car Systems now has four facilities in North America and two in Europe working on several programs for some of the worlds leading global automakers. The company has approximately 700 employees globally.
The Magna E-Car Systems plant received $40 million in Recovery Act funding from the Energy Department, and will provide components for electric drive vehicle systems, including those in the 2012 Ford Focus electric vehicle.
"This critical investment in the electric vehicle supply chain will help bring the next generation of clean, efficient cars and trucks to the road, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and helping to address the high price of gasoline," said Energy Department Vehicle Technologies Program Manager Patrick Davis. "Domestic manufacturing plants like this one in Grand Blanc Township are helping to create jobs in the U.S., enhance our energy security, and lay the foundation for an American economy that is built to last."
The Magna E-Car Systems plant is one of 30 advanced battery and electric drive manufacturing facilities supported by the Recovery Act. At full scale, these factories will have the annual capacity to supply batteries and components to more than 500,000 electric drive vehicles.
The Energy Department's Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy accelerates development and facilitates deployment of energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies and market-based solutions. The Vehicle Technologies Program funds research and development for energy efficient and environmentally friendly vehicle technologies.
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