Magna Launches Electric Drive Factory in China
Magna International Inc. has opened a factory in Shanghai to make integrated electric drive systems for Volkswagen AG vehicles built in China and Europe.
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Magna International Inc. has opened a factory in Shanghai to make integrated electric drive systems for Volkswagen AG vehicles built in China and Europe, Automotive News China reports.
The 710,000-sq-ft facility is operated through a joint venture it formed with Huayu Automotive Systems Co. Ltd. two years ago. Huayu is a subsidiary of Chinese carmaker SAIC Motor Corp.
The plant makes drives that combine an electric motor and gearbox with electronic power controls and related software. The factory has begun low-volume production and will begin supplying VW in the second half of next year.
Magna’s e-drives will be used in vehicles that ride on VW Group’s EV-specific MEB (modular electric toolkit) platform. By 2022, the chassis will carry electric models marketed by the company’s Audi, SEAT, Skoda and VW brands.
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