The Stellantis aluminum diecasting operation in Kokomo, IN, is in line for another round of capital investment as the automaker prepares to make three plants there its center for North American production of electric drive modules (EDM) for battery-electric vehicle drivetrains. The $155-million program will support aluminum casting, machining, and final assembly for EDMs, for future battery-electric vehicles on the STLA Large and STLA Frame platforms.
Stellantis has invested more than $3 billion in Indiana since 2020 in order to establish production capabilities for its electric vehicle programs. The automaker aims to achieve 50% of its sales from BEV products by 2030.
Last August, Kokomo Casting was assigned a $14-million improvement program to update the HPDC cells for the new products, in preparation for Stellantis production of new hybrid-electric vehicle engines.
In 2021, all three plants were awarded a series of retooling projects in advance of Stellantis’ start of production of eight-speed transmissions.
Regarding the new investments, electric drive modules are described as an affordable “all-in-one solution” for electric drivetrains, combining an electric motor, power electronics and transmission.
Kokomo Casting will produce aluminum gearbox covers, which will be machined at the Kokomo Transmission plant. Gear machining and EDM final assembly will be done at the Indiana Transmission plant, also in Kokomo.
Stellantis did not outline the specific plants’ retooling projects, but it indicated that program will be completed for production to begin in 2024.
"While we continue our successful transition to a decarbonized future in our European operations, we are now setting those same foundational elements for the North American market," stated Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares. "By combining the benefits of the EDM with our new BEV-centric platforms and innovative battery technologies, we will offer our customers a variety of electric vehicles with unparalleled performance and range at more affordable prices. And with our in-house manufacturing capabilities and expertise, we will do it with greater flexibility and efficiency."
No new jobs are expected to result from the investments, but Stellantis noted that the new programs will help to retain 265 positions at the three plants.