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Toshiba to Build Electric Vehicle Motors at Houston Plant

22 June, 2010 09:05:00

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Toshiba Corp. announced plans to expand manufacturing capacity at a Houston plant to build motors for hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles, as the company looks to capitalize on the rising demand for green vehicles.

The production will be company's first overseas manufacturing base for automotive propulsion motors which 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.

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.

As the automotive industry moves toward a new generation of environmentally friendly vehicles including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and electric vehicles, Toshiba is promoting advances in essential automotive technologies, from dedicated on-board control systems to batteries and Intelligent Traffic Systems. The company's development of key components for hybrid electric vehicles, plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and electric vehicles, including inverters and drive motors, is an essential part of Toshiba's strategy in growing this promising business.

Electrified vehicles are attracting increased attention and growing levels of investment from the automotive industry. Toshiba estimates that the global market for motors for such vehicles, including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and pure electric vehicles will grow from 50 billion yen in fiscal year 2009 to 1 trillion yen in fiscal year 2020.

The Houston location will allow Toshiba to increase its marketing of automotive systems and components in the United States, establish closer contact and collaboration with automobile manufacturers, and allow auto companies to increase local procurement of key components.

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