Hyundai Mobis has begun mass-producing electric powertrain systems at a new plant in Slovakia, its first such facility in Europe, as it strengthens its foothold in the region’s electric vehicle market.
The company invested about 250 billion won ($184 million) in the Novaky plant, which can produce 280,000 power electric, or PE, systems annually.
A PE system combines an electric motor, inverter and reducer into a single powertrain unit.
Hyundai Mobis held an opening ceremony Wednesday attended by about 100 government and EU officials, customers and suppliers. Participants included Hyundai Mobis CEO Lee Kyu-seok, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, Economy Minister Denisa Sakova and Trencin Governor Jaroslav Baska.
The site spans 106,000 square meters, with 8,500 square meters of floor space housing stator and inverter production lines.
The facility is Hyundai Mobis’ third electrification production base in Europe, joining its battery system plants in the Czech Republic and Spain.
The auto parts supplier views Europe, the world’s second-largest EV market, as a key growth region. The Slovak plant expands an electrification production network that also covers South Korea, the US, the Czech Republic and Indonesia.
Slovakia hosts manufacturing operations for major automakers including Kia, Volkswagen, Stellantis and Volvo. Hyundai Mobis expects the location to improve its ability to respond to European demand and win more global orders.
The company aims to raise the share of revenue generated from global customers to 40 percent by 2033, with the Novaky plant serving as a key base for that push.
jyoungseon8@heraldcorp.com
