Mitsubishi Electric Corporation (TOKYO: 6503) today announced it will invest approximately USD 70 million in affiliate Mitsubishi Electric Automotive America (MEAA) to expand equipment and assembly lines at the company’s Mason, Ohio, and Maysville, Kentucky plants. Mitsubishi Electric aims to strengthen production of high-efficiency alternators and electric power-steering products for automotive customers in the North American market.
While vehicle sales in the U.S. are recovering, regulations are becoming increasingly stringent to improve fuel efficiency. Mitsubishi Electric’s compact, lightweight, high-power, energy-efficient products are expected to help North American automotive customers offer vehicles featuring enhanced fuel economy.
The new facilities at the two plants will begin producing high-efficiency alternators in January 2014 and motor control units for electric power-steering systems in October 2014. Both products, which contribute to the improvement of fuel efficiency, are expected to reach annual production of 1.3 million units respectively by 2016.
Mitsubishi Electric high-efficiency alternators, which are some of the most compact and highest-performing models on the market today, feature high-density coils and extra-efficient cooling.
The company’s motor control units for electric power-steering systems offer industry-leading compactness and power output and are integrated with the company’s unique Poki-Poki motor featuring optimized electromagnetic designs and high-density coils.
