Stellantis invests another round in its Kokomo aluminium casting operation

An additional round of capital investment is on the way at Stellantis' aluminium casting plant in Kokomo, Indiana, as the automaker prepares to use those three sites to produce electric drive modules (EDMs) for battery-electric vehicles. The $155 million programme will fund aluminium casting, machining, and final assembly for EDMs used in future battery-electric vehicles on the STLA Large and STLA Frame platforms.

The Italian-American-French multinational automotive manufacturing corporation, Stellantis, was formed in 2021 based on a 50–50 cross-border merger between the Italian-American conglomerate Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the French PSA Group. The company is headquartered in Amsterdam.

Since 2020, Stellantis has invested more than $3 billion in Indiana to establish production capabilities for its electric vehicle programmes. By 2030, the automaker hopes to have 50% of its sales from BEVs.

Since 2020, Stellantis has invested more than $3 billion in Indiana to establish production capabilities for its electric vehicle programmes. By 2030, the automaker hopes to have 50% of its sales from BEVs. In anticipation of Stellantis' start of production of eight-speed transmissions in 2021, all three plants were awarded a series of retooling projects in 2021.

Electric drive modules, which combine an electric motor, power electronics, and transmission, are referred to be an economical "all-in-one solution" for electric drivetrains in relation to the new investments.

Aluminium gearbox covers made by Kokomo Casting will be machined in the Kokomo Transmission facility. The Indiana Transmission facility in Kokomo will do the final EDM assembly and gear machining.

Stellantis did not specify the exact retooling projects for the factories, but it did say that the programme would be finished in time for production to start in 2024.

Carlos Tavares, the CEO of Stellantis, said, "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." 

"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."