A 250,000 square foot EV parts plant is being built by LG Electronics in the Detroit suburb of Hazel Park. This was confirmed by a press release by LG. The company does not have a car division but it manufactures numerous key pieces for car manufacturers notably GM’s critically acclaimed Chevy Bolt. Stating that LG making key parts is an understatement, it builds the battery cells and pack, electric motor, power inverter, onboard charger, climate control, instrument cluster and infotainment system.
So, GM is very reliant on LG but the feeling is not one sided, its mutual. In the first half of 2017, LG made about $1.5 billion building vehicle components alone. This can be attributed to Chevy Bolt because it’s a 43 percent increase from the year before and a big portion came from GM. The new plant should make it easier to supply those parts and ease any importing concerns with US regulators. The plant received a $2.9 million grant from the Michigan Business Development Program and will employ at least 292 factory workers and engineers.
Future plans
There is no doubt that LG is planning to expand their car parts business beyond GM. Thanks to Tesla there has been an EV revolution and because of it, traditional automakers have been forced to switch gears from gas to electricity. To achieve a more smooth and swift transition these automakers will need help from companies that already know how to build complex battery packs and other components. LG should be able to fill that role quite comfortably with a plant in the US auto industry.
