Eaton Expands European EV Production Facilities
US automotive power management provider Eaton is continuing it European expansion of its Vehicle Group and eMobility businesses with a new R&D center in Germany.
The company hopes to tap into the burgeoning demand for EV technology on the Continent with its new facility in Karlsruhe. This expansion will complement existing engineering and manufacturing sites in Montrottier, France, and Tczew, Poland.
The new office in Karlsruhe will serve as a base for customer interaction and engineering service for customers in the region. The facility will include a laboratory for rapid turnaround in testing the company’s eMobility products. This location will also host Vehicle Group employees from varying product lines and functions.
The Vehicle Group’s recent expansion of its Tczew facility includes investing more than $20M to add an innovative laboratory and three new automated production lines to manufacture EV components. Equipment for the new eMobility lines is currently being installed, with the start of production scheduled for the first quarter of 2023. The lines will initially produce traction inverters for a major European automaker that will save energy and help increase the range of EVs and contribute to extended battery life. Additional eMobility solutions will later be produced at the plant, including power distribution units.
In addition, Eaton’s eMobility location in Montrottier is undergoing expansion to support the demand for power electronics and power distribution products for EVs. Thanks to its location, the Montrottier plant can serves both European-based vehicle manufacturers and suppliers. Three new assembly lines will increase output at the facility up to four times that of current levels and a new cleanroom will allow for testing in a sterile environment.
Marco Martini, president, Vehicle Group, Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), said: “Eaton’s continued expansion in Europe is a crucial step to growing the traditional Vehicle and eMobility businesses and offering cutting-edge EV solutions to our global customers across the region. These upgrades will support Eaton’s efforts in delivering electric vehicle solutions to passenger car, commercial vehicle and off-highway OEMs globally.”
— Paul Myles is a seasoned automotive journalist based in Europe. Follow him on Twitter @Paulmyles_
