Valmet Automotive begins localised battery provide in Germany
The Finnish contract producer is starting by assembling battery modules, packs and the administration system for the plug-in hybrid model of a sports activities automotive from an unnamed automobile producer.
Based on Valmet, that preliminary enterprise might be adopted by the next quantity contract this summer season with one other German carmaker, additionally unnamed.
The Kirchardt battery plant is the primary Valmet has opened outdoors of Finland. It has two home crops, at Salo and Uusikaupunki. The battery modules for Kirchardt are presently manufactured at Uusikaupunki.
Valmet Automotive mentioned its resolution to construct a battery meeting facility in Germany adopted its nomination by a German carmaker because the system provider for its new battery programme. That programme requires battery meeting to happen near the OEM to save lots of sources and minimise transport.
Whereas unnamed by Valmet, the closest sports activities automotive manufacturing is carried out by Audi at its Böllinger Höfe facility 20km from Kirchardt. The plant makes the Audi R8 and Audi e-tron GT. Audi additionally makes a variety of autos, together with the A4, A5 Cabriolet, A6, A7 and A8 at its close by Neckarsulm manufacturing unit.
The corporate mentioned one other vital purpose for the selection of Kirchardt is the proximity to its improvement websites in Munich and Dangerous Friedrichshall, the place Valmet Automotive operates a full-scale high-voltage battery check centre.
“For the reason that begin of manufacturing at our first battery plant in Salo, Finland, in 2019, we now have delivered over 1m battery methods for our prospects’ hybrid, plug-in and absolutely electrical autos,” mentioned Jyrki Nurmi, senior vice-president of the EV Techniques (EVS) enterprise line at Valmet Automotive. “The plant in Kirchardt, our first in Germany, will additional strengthen Valmet Automotive as a pacesetter within the manufacturing and improvement of battery methods.”
