Toshiba to build electric vehicle drive motors in the U.S.

Toshiba Corp. has announced that it is expanding manufacturing capacity at its plant in Houston, Texas, to produce high-performance drive motors for hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs), and electric vehicles (EVs).

The production will be Toshiba's first overseas manufacturing base for automotive propulsion motors, which currently are produced in Mie Prefecture, Japan. The decision follows the awarding of a major contract to supply drive motors for hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles for Ford Motor Company.

"Toshiba recognizes the importance of localizing production within North America to ensure long term growth and make a commitment to the North American market," said Shinichiro Akiba, president, Toshiba International Corp., a Houston-based Toshiba Group company that manufactures and markets motors and industrial equipment.

"We welcome Toshiba's decision to locate this new production in the United States," said Sherif Marakby, director, Electrification Programs and Engineering, Ford Motor Co. "This key technology will help build U.S. capacity and supply of components to further enable vehicle electrification in the North American market."

Toshiba will begin construction for the expanded capacity in January 2011 in Houston, Texas, on the Toshiba International Corp. site. The automotive motor production will begin in 2012.