Marelli to Open New Electric Vehicle Drivetrain Production Facility

Marelli is a provider of technologies and solutions for the automotive sector. The company is headquartered in Japan and employs around 60,000 people worldwide. Its facilities and R&D centers total 170 and can be found in Asia, the Americas, Europe, Africa. Marelli’s key product areas include electronics, automotive lighting, green technology systems, electronic powertrain, ride dynamics, thermal solutions, motorsport, interior experience, and more. Recently, the company announced that it will open a production facility for electric drivetrains in Cologne, Germany. Production is hoped to commence in the first half of 2021. 

 

Marelli headquarters in Saitama, Japan. Image used courtesy of Marelli

As today’s world is moving forward in the direction of more sustainable mobility for transport services and technology across the world, the demand for new and improved electric vehicles (EVs) and corresponding technologies. Drivetrain technology for EVs is one area that has been expanding at a high rate.

Marelli’s New Facility

For the planned production start in 2021, Marelli will be employing 160 employees and a further 60 throughout the remainder of that year. A production line of 18,000 sqm will be installed in the new facility in Cologne with room left over for potential future expansion. 

“With the new production facility, we are expanding our manufacturing footprint and capacities for this important growth market”, said Joachim Fetzer, CEO of Marelli’s Electric Powertrain business in a recent news release. 

“We have chosen Cologne for its location in the heart of Europe, as we find highly skilled employees with experience in the auto industry here and as the region is developing into a center for e-mobility,” Fetzer added. 

 

As the electric mobility (e-mobility) market grows, the Marelli team believes that it can grow its influence as a leading supplier in this area. The company has garnered expertise in both electric drives and thermal management systems which allows it to develop products and technology that helps to improve the performance of EVs. Marelli has developed EV platforms including active and passive systems for the 800 Volt high performance and fast charging technology, cooling plates, high-revolution speed e-motors, electric compressors, battery management systems, and more.

 

Marelli pushes forward in expanding its market influence in e-mobility. Image used courtesy of Marelli

Fetzer provided further comments: “Electric powertrain is a core element of Marelli’s growth strategy. We already have a great deal of experience in the market, having been one of the early suppliers of the KERS (Kinetic Energy Recovery System), the first hybrid solution in Formula 1, as well as being a pioneer of electric powertrain for Formula E. In the past years, we have been very successful in bringing our technologies for electric mobility to the mass market, and with the new facility in Cologne we are in a strong position to continue on that path.”