Nidec plans $2bn EV motor factory in Europe for bet beyond China
KYOTO -- Japan's Nidec will spend about 200 billion yen ($1.9 billion) to build an electric vehicle motor factory in Serbia, Nikkei has learned, as the company looks to expand its foothold in Europe, whose EV market rivals that of China.
The motor manufacturer is apparently in the final stages of talks with local authorities on plans for the factory and an accompanying research center.
Nidec had concentrated resources on expanding its EV motor production in China, which has a fast-growing electric vehicle industry. Now, the company is boosting investment in Europe as well.
The new plant will reach annual output between 200,000 units and 300,000 units by 2023. Nidec will start producing EV drive motors in France and Poland as well, starting in 2022, but the Serbian facility will be one of the company's largest production hubs in Europe.
https://asia.nikkei.com/Business/Technology/Nidec-plans-2bn-EV-motor-factory-in-Europe-for-bet-beyond-China
The switch to electric vehicles will mean that auto manufacturers will capture less of the value chain. They produce their own internal combustion engines, transmissions and transaxles. But many will buy their drive motors, batteries, and control electronics from other manufacturers. The drive train supply chain will be different.