Automaker Daimler AG and supplier giant Robert Bosch GmBH have just signed an agreement to create a new 50:50 joint venture to produce electric motors for future EVs. First product for this new organization, called EM-motive GmBH, will be a traction motor destined for the new-generation 2012 smart fortwo ED. Pending final approvals from various antitrust authorities, the Stuttgart-based firm is expected to employ about 100 workers and will be headed by two co-equal directors, one from each of its parent companies. Production of these new motors is set to being early next year.
According to Daimler, one of the key design advantages of all electric motors to be produced by the joint venture is their modular character, a feature that will allow them to be used in a wide variety of future EVs as well as fuel-cell powered and/or range-extended vehicles. While EM-motive GmBH will directly supply both parent companies with motors, Bosch has been charged with overseeing all third-party sales. If production goes according to plan, the joint venture is expected to crank out over one million electric motors by 2020.
“Like lithium-ion batteries, electric motors are key components for our electric vehicles, noted Prof. Dr. Herbert Kohler, Vice President e-drive & Future Mobility in Group Research & Advanced Engineering and Chief Environmental Officer of Daimler AG. “It is extremely important that competence in this field is maintained in Germany. In joining forces with Bosch, we have now teamed up with a long-standing partner, and are confident that this move will lead to outstanding results.”
