Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) will expand manufacturing capacity at its plant in Houston, Texas for production of drive motors for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) and electric vehicles (EVs), the Japanese company said today.
The electric motors will be Toshiba’s first overseas manufacturing of the automotive propulsion motors that are currently produced in Mie Prefecture, Japan. The decision follows the awarding of a major contract to supply drive motors for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles for Ford Motor Company. The company also makes inverters, another key component for EVs.
“Toshiba recognizes the importance of localizing production within North America to ensure long term growth and make a commitment to the North American market,” said Shinichiro Akiba, President, Toshiba International Corporation, a Houston-based Toshiba Group company that manufactures and markets motors and industrial equipment.
Toshiba will begin construction for the expanded capacity in January 2011 in Houston, Texas, on the site of Toshiba International Corporation. Production of the automotive motors would begin in 2012.
Toshiba estimates that the global market for motors for such vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and battery electric vehicles will grow from 50 billion yen in fiscal year 2009 to 1 trillion yen in fiscal year 2020.