General Motors announced that it will produce the Chevrolet Spark EV’s electric motors at the automaker’s White Marsh, Maryland facility. The development of the permanent magnet and induction motors is being highlighted at a pilot facility in Wixom, Michigan before production begins at White Marsh in late 2012. The Wixom facility will also validate and test equipment and processes for the White March production.
“We’ve spent the past few years highlighting our in-house battery capability, which will play a significant role as one of our core competencies going forward,” said Larry Nitz, GM executive director of Vehicle Electrification Engineering, in a press release. “Electric motor development and manufacturing is another area of expertise we’ll need as we expand vehicle electrification technologies to address the needs of our customers around the world.”
The Chevrolet Spark EV will be propelled by a 114-horsepower (85 kW) permanent magnet motor when it debuts in 2013. GM claims it will be the first automaker to domestically produce electric motors used for vehicle propulsion. The Chevrolet Volt’s electric drive unit is currently built by Remy International Inc. in Japan.
Electric motors are currently used for propulsion in nine GM vehicles including: Chevrolet Volt, Chevrolet Malibu Eco, Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, Buick Lacrosse eAssist, Buick Regal eAssist, GMC Sierra Hybrid, GMC Yukon and Yukon Denali Hybrids, and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid.
