GKN Driveline is expanding its presence in the Chinese market with construction of a new production facility. The new plant, built through GKN’s joint venture Shanghai GKN Huayu Driveline Systems (SDS) is in line with the company’s strategic plan to target growth in China.
The facility is under construction, and will be leased by SDS upon completion. The 10,000m² plant is located in Pinghu, Zhejiang Province, and will initially manufacture gears for GKN’s eDrive systems, as well as producing gear sets for all-wheel drive final drive systems. Operation is expected to commence during Q2 of 2018.
“The growth of vehicle electrification is accelerating faster in China than anywhere else in the world,” said Greg MacLean, deputy general manager of SDS.
“SDS, with strong support from GKN, is investing in people and facilities to meet the new energy vehicle market demand. Currently SDS is benefitting from a number of localizations built on GKN’s strong position in Europe and the Americas.
“Our longstanding technical relationship with GKN affords SDS a unique position in the market to deliver innovative all-wheel drive and electrified technologies that our customers are demanding in China.”
