New Magna facility to build battery enclosures with composite configuration option

Magna (Troy, Mich., U.S.) reported on Feb. 23 that it has broken ground on the construction of a new 345,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in St. Clair, Michigan, which will build complex battery enclosures for the all-new 2022 GMC Hummer EV, an all-electric supertruck. According to the company, Magna can develop these advanced assemblies in steel, aluminum and multi-material configurations, including lightweight composites, to meet the individual needs of its customers.

Named Magna Electric Vehicle Structures, the facility represents more than a $70 million investment that is expected to bring more than 300 jobs to the city of St. Clair over the next five years.

“Bringing this new battery enclosure technology to market is another example of Magna’s ability to deliver a full-system solution to automakers supporting their focus on a lower emissions future,” says John Farrell, president of Cosma International, Magna’s body and chassis group. “The move toward electrification allows us to rethink what is possible and demonstrate how we can leverage our core strengths to continue bringing customers innovative solutions that help them meet their goals, no matter how challenging.”

Magna has already proven its capabilities in composites via thermoplastic composite liftgates, an engine subframe demonstrator with Ford and composite CNG tanks produced in Austria. The company has also established a Composites Center of Excellence in Germany and has a joint venture with BAIC in China to produce electric vehicles. Both BAIC and competitor NIO have publicized their use of carbon fiber-reinforced composites to cut weight versus aluminum by 30%.

“This investment by Magna will create great jobs for our state’s talented workforce as we continue to implement our Michigan Back to Work plan to get Michiganders back on their feet,” adds Governor Gretchen Whitmer. “This announcement reaffirms Michigan is transforming along with the automotive industry to ensure the next generation of mobility and electrification is designed, developed, tested and built right here in our state.”

Production at the new plant is expected to begin in early 2022. It will mark Magna’s 25^th manufacturing facility in Michigan. The team at the Magna Electric Vehicle Structures facility is actively hiring for a variety of jobs – including managers, engineers, operators and more. For information on careers with Magna, visit: https://www.magna.com/company/careers.