Webasto opens plant in Mexico dedicated to its EV battery charging business
Germany-based component manufacturer Webasto recently opened a new plant in Guanajuato, Mexico. It is the first site dedicated to its production of electric vehicle charging components in the Americas region and one of three Webasto plants in Mexico.
The Guanajuato plant currently runs three lines that produce charging solutions, with plans to expand to eight lines by the end of the year with an output of over 20,000 units per week. More than 140 employees currently support production at the plant, numbers which will increase to 200 by the end of 2023. With a current footprint of 12,000 square meters, an expansion – another 10,000 square meters – is already planned through 2025.
“As we continue to accelerate our e-mobility product offerings worldwide, North America presents Webasto big potential,” says Marcel Bartling, member of the management board and chief technology officer for Webasto SE. “The opening of a charging plant in the region is another step in executing on our strategy and reinforces our investment in the future.”
Webasto has been producing mobile charging cables at its roof plant in Irapuato, Mexico – about six kilometers from the new Guanajuato plant – in recent years. However, as volume and customer demand have increased, the entire charging production has been relocated to the new site, which also offers Webasto ease-of-expansion moving forward.
“In a relatively short period of time, we’ve been able to establish our foothold in the charging market in North America, and with this plant, we’re positioned to support our customers locally,” says Dirk Hofmann, vice president of operations and quality for Webasto Charging Systems.
Alongside wallboxes and mobile chargers, Webasto also produces battery systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles as well as high-voltage heaters for hybrid and electric vehicles.
