German automotive supplier Webasto has begun producing EV batteries at the company’s manufacturing plant in Schierling, Germany. The first battery packs will go to an unnamed European bus maker.

Three years ago, Webasto decided to branch out of its core business of roofs and heaters and expand into electromobility, with charging solutions and battery systems. Webasto has invested €11 million in a multi-product line at the Schierling site, and a further €18 million to establish a prototype construction and validation center at its site in Hengersberg, Germany.

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The Hengersberg site manufactures aluminum boxes for the battery systems, which are then sent to Schierling for completion. Webasto sources its battery cells from Samsung SDI, which it has partnered with since 2018.

Webasto is currently preparing to enter the Chinese market. It will manufacture both battery systems and roofs at a new production site in Jiaxing, which it expects to open at the beginning of 2020.

Dr. Holger Engelmann, Chairman of Webasto’s Management Board, said, “We have successfully entered this market and the first buses with Webasto batteries will shortly take to the streets of major European cities.”

Source: Webasto