Toshiba (
News 
-
Alert) Corporation, the Tokyo-based electronics titan, has been selected by the Ford Motor Company to supply automotive inverters for its hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). Ford plans to start mass production of new models of both kinds of vehicle in 2012, including the
C-MAX Energi, a PHEV, and the
C-MAX Hybrid, an HEV.
Toshiba will support Ford with a new inverter production line at its plant in Mie Prefecture, Japan, which has extensive experience in manufacturing for automotive applications. The new line will have a production capacity of 150,000 inverters a year and be ready to start supply in April 2012, following final adjustments to manufacturing equipment and final qualification by Ford.
Toshiba already has a June 2010 contract with Ford under which it will supply high-performance drive motors for HEV and PHEV from 2012, from its facility in Houston, Texas. The automotive inverters will be supplied to Ford with the motors as a set.
As the automobile industry moves toward a new generation of environmentally friendly vehicles, including HEV, PHEV, and electric vehicles (EV), Toshiba is promoting advances in essential automotive technologies, from dedicated on-board control systems to batteries and Intelligent Traffic Systems. The company’s development of key components for HEVs, PHEVs, and EVs, including inverters and drive motors, is an essential part of Toshiba’s strategy in growing this promising business.
Electrified vehicles are attracting increased attention and growing levels of investment from the automotive industry. Toshiba estimates that the global market for inverters for such vehicles will grow from 180 billion yen ($2.2 billion) in fiscal year 2010 to 1.5 trillion yen ($19 billion) in fiscal year 2020.
Toshiba is targeting fiscal year 2015 net sales of 800 billion yen ($10 billion) from its power electronics business, including motors, inverters, and rechargeable batteries, and is promoting accelerated globalization of the business.
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Cheryl Kaften is an accomplished communicator who has written for consumer and corporate audiences. She has worked extensively for MasterCard (News - Alert) Worldwide, Philip Morris USA (Altria), and KPMG, and has consulted for Estee Lauder and the Philadelphia Inquirer Newspapers. To read more of her articles, please visit her columnist page.Edited by
Jennifer Russell
