Electricnick, The EV Revolution

Here is a closer look at Magna International, its work with Ford and what it could for electric vehicles, EV.

The gist is that not only car makers can duke it out with technology companies in the automobile industry, but part makers also.  Magna International is Canada’s largest car part maker, has worked closely with Detroit in the past and has recently won a bid to acquire 25% of Opel.  They also have worked on electrifying a Ford Focus, which Ford said will be produced by 2011.

Magna’s Far Reaching Arms.  The history of the company is full of acquisition from its 1950s start.  It acquired 80% of New Venture Gear, once a joint-venture between General Motors and Chrysler, in September 2004, and combined it into Magna Powertrain with full ownership in 2007.  It had tried in March 2007 to acquire Chrysler.

Magna’s Mila EV.  Magna is now busy working on EVs, hence the Mila EV.

Technically Speaking. With its 67 hp electric motor using a lithium-ion battery pack developed by Magna Steyr, it averages a charging time of 2.5 hours with ranges of up to 150 km, 93 miles.  Clearly, Magna is building on its experience with EVs and wants to place itself as a key player.  This car is almost an all in-house work.

In many ways, Magna has acquired companies that each add something to their future vision and EVs.  The company is well poised to become a key player in the short future.  It would have been interesting to see what it would have had it had the opportunity to acquire Chrysler when it was still salvageable.  In the meantime, we can expect to hear and read more about this company as it unfolds its research.  In many ways, it is an ideal mixture of traditional car industry and modern technologies, maybe what future mass produced car companies will look like.