Latest Addition to Michigan's Growing Advanced Battery Industry

September 20, 2010

Magna E-Car Systems employing 200 workers at its Auburn Hills facility  

LANSING - Governor Jennifer M. Granholm today said Magna E-Car Systems is the 17th and most recent company to join Michigan's growing advanced battery industry.  The company held a grand opening today in Auburn Hills for its state-of-the-art testing and development center for hybrid and electric vehicles and the advanced batteries that power them. 

"Just over a year ago, advanced batteries were being manufactured only in Asia.  Now we're making them in Michigan," Granholm said.  "Today's celebration is another positive result of the public and private sectors collaborating to bring new investment and jobs to our state and nation.  The 17 advanced battery companies in Michigan are projected to create more than 63,000 jobs in the state over the next decade."    

In August 2009, Magna E-Car Systems was among 12 Michigan projects to receive U.S. Department of Energy grants funded by the Recovery Act to support advanced battery and electric vehicle manufacturing and development.  Combined, the 12 Michigan projects were awarded $1.35 billion - more than all other states combined. 

"Clean energy manufacturing, such as advanced batteries, is one of the economic sectors we've been working to grow to diversify the state's economy and create jobs," Granholm said.  "The Department of Energy grants, combined with Michigan's first-in-the-nation tax credits that encourage companies to develop and manufacture advanced batteries and commercialize advanced battery technologies in Michigan, have generated an entire new industry in our state that didn't exist a year ago."  

At Magna E-Car Systems' 82,000-square-foot facility in Auburn Hills, approximately 200 employees work in the areas of cells and battery packs, hybrid and electric vehicle components and complete hybrid and electric vehicle systems. 

Magna E-Car Systems manufactures products for the Ford Focus battery electric vehicle, a Volvo hybrid program, and powertrain controllers for General Motors. 

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