Like most other suppliers, Magna International and its contract manufacturing unit Magna Steyr are pushing hard to diversify into the area of hybrid and electric powertrain components and systems. In January at the Detroit Auto Show, Magna International and Ford announced a collaboration on a Focus-based electric car that will go on sale in 2011. Here in Geneva, Magna Steyr combined that electrification effort with a reminder that the company is capable of doing complete vehicle engineering and manufacturing for other automakers.
The Mila EV is a concept meant to illustrate a new vehicle platform that Magna has developed and optimized for electric drive applications. The modular system is able to be adapted to different body styles and even different powertrain configurations. It can be built as a pure EV or with a parallel or series hybrid setup. Magna is offering it to any manufacturer that would like a turn-key EV platform solution in order to get a car into production quickly.
In addition to the platform, Magna is getting into the battery game, as well. Currently, the company is focusing on pack integration and working with a number of different cell suppliers and chemistries. Long term, the company may look at getting into cell development itself.
