The InnoLab battery laboratory is expected to be completed by August this year. The facility will produce lithium-ion battery cells and assemble batteries. The facility will produce batteries in-house for its range of electrically powered buses and trucks with the aim of reducing its reliance on external battery suppliers and limiting the impact of component supply shortages. Daimler aims to produce the first battery cells by the end of 2023 and the first prototype battery system by 2024.

The 13-million-dollar project to develop a new charging hub for EV freight trucks will be located on DTNA’s Redford facility in Detroit due to its proximity to the 1-96 highway and its power supply capabilities.

The aim is to increase road safety and to improve job satisfaction to increase driver retention throughout the country.

The autonomous vehicle, which operates at low speeds on closed circuits, is based on a diesel-powered Volare Attack 8 minibus developed in partnership with Lume Robotics.

The centre offers 26 assembly stations, a paint shop, 4 EV charging stations and workshops offering the entire service portfolio from maintenance, repair, bodywork and painting.

Detroit remains a significant player in the manufacturing of truck and bus components enabling it to support DTNA.

The new plant will produce wiring systems for the CV industry in order to meet the growing demand in that segment of the business.

The company has three factories in Japan, the Kawasaki Plant, which produces trucks and industrial engines, the Nakatsu Plant, which manufactures transmissions and the Toyama City Plant, where Fuso buses are produced.

The new 10,000-square-metre production facility in Lahti will double the company’s production capacity in Europe in order to meet the growing demand for its EV chargers.

Chief Financial Officer Craig Webster cited unfavourable market conditions, “including interest rates doubling in the last year”, as the motivating factor behind the decision.

Libreparts now has 21 outlets throughout Brazil.

The company has announced it is set to receive a USD 283 million cash injection after a merger with New York-based special-purpose acquisition company (SPAC), Kensington Capital Acquisition Corp.