Magna E-Car Systems, a recently formed joint venture between Magna International and the Stronach Trust, announced Monday that it is opening a new hybrid- and electric-vehicle system development center, including a battery testing facility, in Auburn Hills, Mich.
The 82,000-square-foot facility is located at 4121 North Atlantic Drive. Approximately 200 employees work on new electric-vehicle designs as well as cells and battery packs, hybrid- and electric-vehicle components, and complete hybrid- and electric-vehicle systems.
Including Auburn Hills, Magna E-Car Systems has four facilities throughout North America and three facilities in Europe working on several programs, including the Ford Focus BEV, a Volvo hybrid program and powertrain controllers for General Motors.
In August 2009, Magna was selected to receive funding from the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act of 2009 to support electric-drive vehicle components manufacturing. The grant was part of the $2.4 billion in Recovery Act funding announced by the Department of Energy.