Hitachi Automotive Systems and Honda to establish a joint venture for electric vehicle motors
07 February 2017
Hitachi Automotive Systems and Honda Motor have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aiming to establish a joint venture company for the development, manufacture and sales of motors for electric vehicles. Initially, Hitachi will hold 51%, Honda 49% of the new JV, the name of which is still to be determined.
Subsidiary operations of the new Japan-based joint venture are planned for the US and China, each with manufacturing and sales functions. Together with the establishment of these operations, the new company will expand the global supply of motors by creating a robust response to demand from Honda and other vehicle manufacturers.
The two companies now will conduct formal discussions regarding the establishment of the new company. The signing of the definitive agreement for the establishment of the joint venture company is planned for the end of March 2017.
Since Hitachi Automotive Systems first started selling motors for electric vehicles in 1999, it has been refining its technological and product capabilities to develop high-output, lightweight and compact electric vehicle motors. The company has delivered a high volume of these motors to vehicle manufacturers in Japan and throughout the world.
Since 1999, when Honda launched its first hybrid car, Insight, the company has focused on expanding its electric vehicle line-up as it continues to enhance its technological and production capabilities with respect to the motors that form the core component of electric vehicles.
Going forward, with environmental conservation measures and regulations increasing on a global scale, the market for electric vehicles is expected to continue to grow. Based on this direction, the two companies signed the MoU with the aim of using the collaboration between a vehicle manufacturer and supplier to generate technological synergy and economies of scale that will strengthen their competitive advantage and business foundation for the motors at the core of an electric vehicle system.
In parallel to the efforts of the new company, Hitachi Automotive Systems will continue to promote its business operations by maintaining the business relationships it has with vehicle manufacturers that receive their supply of motors from the company. Moreover, Honda will continue to focus on the global promotion of electric vehicles by using motors from the new company as well as the motors it currently manufactures itself in Japan.
This type of JV is positive for the development and mass production of near future improved/more efficient e-motors (with less weight and more power) for BEVs and FCEVs.
Similar JVs are being done in Germany, France, Japan, China and USA.
Posted by: HarveyD | 07 February 2017 at 08:03 AM
E-Motors are already about as efficient as you can get. Margins are real small in this market too. You also have DC ECM 2.3 and better technology in the HVAC market.
Maybe they will corner and lock down as many Intellectual patents as possible so no one else can make money.
Posted by: Dr. Strange Love | 08 February 2017 at 11:17 AM
More affordable electric motors for OEM means more opportunity to provide more EVs to the market place.
Posted by: SJC | 10 February 2017 at 07:04 PM
Current best e-motors for EVs are rated at about 4 to 5 HP/Kg. Near future e-motors built with much lighter materials may reach 8 to 10 HP/Kg (by 2025/20230)?
Coupled with 500+ Wh/Kg batteries and much lighter bodies, near future BEVs could have range of up to 500 miles in good weather areas and 350 miles in cold weather?
Quick recharging those large battery packs (120 to 150 kWh) will need better charging facilities, up to 700 KW.
Posted by: HarveyD | 12 February 2017 at 08:50 AM