Astemo to Invest $112 Million Expanding Hybrid EV Motor Production in Kentucky
The investment marks the first phase of a multi-year program to increase powertrain component output at Berea plants.
Astemo Americas announced plans to invest more than $112 million to expand hybrid EV motor production at its facilities in Berea, Kentucky.
What Happened
The company will add nearly 300,000 square feet of production and warehouse space across its two Berea manufacturing plants. According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, this expenditure represents the first phase of a multi-year program designed to increase the output of hybrid EV powertrain components at Astemo’s Kentucky sites. The Berea facilities currently produce chassis and electric powertrain components, while a separate plant in Harrodsburg, Kentucky, manufactures electric powertrain and engine management systems.
Why It Matters
Astemo Americas, a joint venture between Hitachi, Honda Motor, and JIC Capital, operates 23 manufacturing sites across the Americas, including 12 in the United States. The expansion supports the company’s existing commitments to supply major automakers with critical EV components. Astemo has previously agreed to provide Honda with e-axles, which combine a silicon carbide inverter, a square-wire motor, and a gearbox, as well as inverters and motors for future Nissan EVs and PHEVs through an agreement with JATCO. This investment underscores the continued industrial strategy of scaling hybrid and electric powertrain manufacturing within the US supply chain.
The Bottom Line
The $112 million investment will physically expand Astemo’s Kentucky footprint to meet growing demand for hybrid and electric powertrain components from partners including Honda and Nissan.
