Honda and Hitachi form JV to produce electric motors

The Japanese auto and component majors have come together to form a JV company, based in Japan to co-develop and produce electric motors for future vehicles, for both Honda as well as other automotive OEs.

The JV, christened Hitachi Automotive Electric Motor Systems, sees Hitachi holding a majority stake of 51 percent, while Honda controls 49 percent . The plans for this structure were first revealed earlier this year, in February. The new unit has now become operational from Hitachi Automotive Systems’ existing facility in Hitachinaka-shi, Ibaraki Prefecture, Japan.

Both Honda and Hitachi have jointly invested a total of $ 44 million in the new venture, which will produce high-spec electric motors, sufficient for Honda’s in-house consumption, as well as for supply  to other automotive companies, which are working on electric vehicles.

Challenges to bring in sustainable mobility solutions worldwide  and stringent emission norms have led to automakers looking at alternative sources of powering vehicles, and reducing their dependency on conventional fuels.

EVs and hybrids form the major chunk of these new technological developments, with 2030 being envisioned as a landmark year in many countries for a tectonic shift to be taking place in the area of mobility.