Prime Minister Justin Trudeau: “When we talk about our made-in-Canada plan, we’re talking about creating good, middle-class jobs now and into the future, we’re talking about clean air for our kids and grandkids, and we’re talking about a strong economy that works for all Canadians. That’s what Volkswagen’s new electric vehicle battery plant in St. Thomas – the largest manufacturing plant in the country once built – is all about. It’s a win for workers, for the community, and for the economy.”
Thomas Schmall, Volkswagen Group Board Member for Technology: “North America plays a key role in our global battery strategy. The region will become Power Co SE’s second pillar beside Europe, with battery cells made in North America for North America. Gigafactory St. Thomas opens the door to a key market for e-mobility and battery cell production. We aim to make Power Co a global player in the battery business and to pave the way for clean, sustainable mobility. Gigafactory St. Thomas is an important milestone in our roadmap.”
Proof point for Volkswagen Group’s ambitious growth strategy in North America
St. Thomas is the company’s first overseas gigafactory for cell manufacturing and will equip the Group brands’ BEVs in the North American region with cutting-edge unified cells, a whole new cell technology designed for volume production. Groundbreaking is planned for 2024 and production is projected to begin in 2027. The cell factory is part of a larger plan that Volkswagen and Power Co agreed upon with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government in August last year. The Memorandum of Understanding signed at the time focusses on battery value creation and raw material security in order to promote e-mobility in the country.
The decision to expand Power Co SE’s cell production network to Canada is further proof of the ambitious growth strategy of the Volkswagen Group in North America. This includes the introduction of the broadest portfolio of full-electric vehicles in the United States and Canada by 2030, the expansion of Electrify America’s coast-to-coast charging network in the U. S. and Canada as well as the announcement of the iconic Scout brand to deliver its first all-electric vehicles in 2026.
Frank Blome, CEO of Power Co SE: “We are honoured to partner with Canada, Ontario, and the City of St. Thomas to take the EV industry to a new level. Power Co was founded in Europe to make a difference in the battery business, offering cutting-edge cell technology and sustainable manufacturing. That includes the creation of up to 3,000 new jobs and great working conditions for our employees in th e St. Thomas area. We share the same values and are committed to be a reliable partner for people in St. Thomas and Ontario.”
François-Philippe Champagne, Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry: “Today’s announcement is a true testament to our highly skilled workforce and Canada’s strong and growing battery ecosystem. VW’s decision to establish its first overseas gigafactory in Canada speaks to our country’s competitiveness when it comes to attracting major investments. It is also a vote of confidence in Canada as green supplier of choice to world. With Volkswagen and Power Co , our government looks forward t o working together towards cleaner , more sustainable , and resilient economy.“
Strategic location at heart o f Great Lakes Automotive Corridor
The cell factory is being built over an area o f around 370 acres (150 hectares), which corresponds t o more than 210 soccer or football fields. The entire industrial & supplier park amounts t o 1 ,500 acres (600 hectares). Its strategic location about 30 km south o f London , Ontario , is at heart o f Great Lakes Automotive Corridor near major cities such as Toronto & Detroit. That gives Power Co prime access t o regional research & innovation cluster, talented workforce, good transport infrastructure & established supply chains. Furthermore, the cell factory will be supplied with100 % CO2-free energy.
Ontario is leader i n global automotive industry & right on track t o become powerhouse i n emerging EV space. With more than700 automotive-related companies , full access t o critical minerals &its end-to-end ethical battery supply chain. Ontario offers perfect conditions f or EV investments. Since2020, O ntario has attracted almost CAD$13 billion i n electric vehicle&EVbattery investments.
Doug Ford, Premier O f Ontario :“This investment, the largest auto investment i n ou r province ’s history, is big win f or Ontario, the people O f St. Thom as&surrounding areas. We’re thrilled t owelcome Volkswagen&Power C OSEt O Ontario&t hank themfor their tremendous confidence i n our province, o ur workers&our growing electric vehicle supply chain. Welcome TOTEAM ONTARIO, VW!”
Vic Fedeli, O ntario ’s Minister O feconomic Development. Job Creationand Trade:“Last October, w emetwith VW i n Germanyt odiscuss possibilityo fa new EVbattery manufacturingfacility. Six months later, we’re proudtosaythispotentialwillbecome reality. VW ’shistoric investment will strengthenoure nd -to-endelectricvehicle supplychain&create moregood-payingjobsforworkersin St. Thomason d acrossprovince. Ourgovernmentcontinuestocreatetherightconditionsforbusinessesandworkers tosucceednowandin future. Thank you, VWf orchoosing Ontario.”
Power Coon trackt ob ecomeaglobalbatteryplayer
The Volkswagen Grouphasmadebatter ytechnologyacoreelementofits10Point Planaimedatspeedingupthecompany’stransformation. Volkswagensetup Powe r COSEin Germany, a separatebatter ycompany, bundlingthe Group ’sglobalbatterybusinessacrosstheentirevaluechain-fromrawmaterialsupplyanddevelopmenttotheconstructiona ndoperationofgigafactories. Sinceitslaunchin July2022, Pow er COSEhasdecidedonthelocationofthreecellfactoriesin Salzgitter Valenciaand St. Thomasi n North America. By2030, Pow er COan dpartnersareexpectedtogenerateannualrevenueofover20billioneuros.
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