Canada’s Magna has broken ground on a new manufacturing facility in St. Clair, Michigan, that will build complex battery enclosures for the all-new 2022 GMC Hummer EV. Construction of the 345,000 square-foot facility, named Magna Electric Vehicle Structures, represents more than a $70 million investment.
The battery enclosure contributes to the structural and safety aspects of a vehicle’s frame and protects high-voltage batteries from damage and water. Production at the new plant is expected to begin in early 2022. It will mark Magna’s 25th manufacturing facility in Michigan.
John Farrell, President of Cosma International, Magna’s body and chassis group, says: “Bringing this new battery enclosure technology to market is another example of Magna’s ability to deliver a full-system solution to automakers supporting their focus on a lower emissions future. The move toward electrification allows us to rethink what is possible and demonstrate how we can leverage our core strengths to continue bringing customers innovative solutions that help them meet their goals, no matter how challenging.”
Magna’s investment that is expected to bring more than 300 jobs to the city of St. Clair over the next five years.
“This investment by Magna will create great jobs for our state’s talented workforce as we continue to implement our Michigan Back to Work plan to get Michiganders back on their feet,” states Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This announcement reaffirms Michigan is transforming along with the automotive industry to ensure the next generation of mobility and electrification is designed, developed, tested, and built right here in our state.”
Magan has more than 158,000 employees and 342 manufacturing operations and 91 product development, engineering and sales centres in 27 countries. Its shares trade on the Toronto Stock Exchange (MG) and the New York Stock Exchange (MGA).
Keyword: Magna Breaks Ground on New Michigan Plant to Support Electric Vehicle Market