Magna forms e-powertrain joint venture in China with SAIC Motor subsidiary
18 October 2017
To expand its global electrified powertrain offerings and strengthen its local footprint in China, Magna has entered into a joint-venture agreement with Huayu Automotive Systems Co., Ltd. (HASCO), a subsidiary of SAIC Motor. The JV will initially produce an electric-drive powertrain system for a German automaker.
For the initial customer order, the JV will leverage Magna’s highly integrated e-drive system with a focus on the production of the system mainly for the Chinese market. Both partners will give the JV full support to develop localized core competencies in terms of market development, R&D, advanced manufacturing and key parts supply such as gearboxes, inverter components and motors.
| Magna’s Highly Integrated eDrive System LOW is a 76 kW (peak) unit designed for HEV and small EV applications. The offset architecture contains an ASM or PSM eMotor and an integrated high voltage inverter. Magna also produces the eDrive MID with gearbox (140 kW peak) and eDrive HIGH (253 kW peak). Click to enlarge. |
The new-energy vehicle (NEV) market will continue to grow at a rapid speed in China. With this trend, SAIC Motor is developing the New Four Modernization strategy focusing on car electrification, connectivity, intelligence, and sharing economy. The establishment of the JV, a strong combination of HASCO and Magna’s strength to initiate cooperation in NEV electrified powertrain systems, has been a milestone for HASCO to develop its core competencies in the field of key new-energy-related components, as well as a critical measure to strengthen the New Four Modernization strategy for SAIC.
—Chen Zhixin, President of SAIC Motor and Vice Chairman of HASCO
Magna possesses the skills and experience to develop and manufacture electrified powertrains. This includes all key components for modern e-drive systems: e-motor, gearbox, inverter and control software. For nearly 10 years, Magna has been supporting customers in the US and Europe from concept to production with products for battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles.
In 2009, the company announced a vehicle-development partnership with Ford Motor Company to introduce a zero-emission lithium-ion battery electric vehicle (BEV)—this became the Ford Focus BEV, which entered the market in 2011 and is still available today. Magna was responsible for providing the electric motor and electronic control module, and also played a key role in the engineering to integrate the electric propulsion system and other new systems into the vehicle architecture.
Additionally since 2012 Magna has supplied Volvo with the electrified rear axle drive system (eRAD) featured on the Volvo V60 and S60 plug-in hybrid models. Magna’s eRAD system complements a traditional gas- or diesel-engine front-wheel-drive powertrain with an independent electric powertrain to power the rear wheels. This system offers multiple hybrid driving modes while also adding four-wheel-drive capability. Magna received the Volvo Cars Quality Excellence (VQE) Award earlier this year for its performance in supplying these systems.
Interesting JV for SAIC to quickly get access to advance technologies for their near future PHEVs and BEVs.
Also an interesting JV for Magna for access to lower cost mass manufacturing facilities in China and resources to further improve their products.
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 October 2017 at 01:32 PM