Sheet Metal Stamping Simulation

The electric vehicle development unit, which was set up as a joint venture between Magna and the Stronach Trust, unveiled the 82,000 square foot facility on Monday.

 

The centre employs around 200 people who will work on new electric vehicle designs, alongside cells and battery packs, the company said.

 

The site was developed after the company secured funding in August last year from the US stimulus package to support its developments of electric-drive vehicle components manufacturing.

 

The new facility brings the total number of Magna E-Car sites in the US to four, with another three in Europe. The company is engaged in a wide range of green car initiatives with high profile auto manufacturers, including the Ford Focus Battery Electric Vehicle, a hybrid model for Volvo, and powertrain controllers for General Motors.

 

Magna International announced its intention to enter the electric vehicle battery market in late May, when it said that it would be seeking sites in North America and Europe to build two $300m battery manufacturing plants.

 

However, current battery costs remain a cause of concern for Magna, according to Dave Pascoe, vice-president of electric vehicle technology at Magna E-Car Systems.

 

Speaking at a Toronto panel on the future of the electric car, Pascoe and other panelists lamented the high cost of batteries. He called for new battery technology that would help to bring down costs and rekindle interest in the EV market.

 

Magna E-Car Systems is part of a joint venture between Magna International and the Stronach Trust, after founder Frank Stronach relinquished his super voting shares in exchange for common stock and cash in a deal that took effect on August 31. Magna International now holds 73 per cent of E-Car Systems, with the Stronach Trust owning the remainder.