GKN Announces New Japanese Plant

GKN Driveline has now announced plans to build a new world-class manufacturing facility in Tokoname City, Japan. The new facility will represent a substantial technological upgrade of GKN Driveline’s capability in Asia.

The announcement follows a significant number of new business wins for GKN Driveline’s All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and eDrive systems, with the company forecasting a significant uplift in revenue from the operation over the next four years. Construction of the new facility is scheduled to be complete before the end of 2018.

The new Tokoname City operation will deliver high quality, next-generation AWD systems and Rear Drive Modules (RDMs), featuring advanced technologies such as electronic disconnect capability and torque vectoring. Furthermore, together with GKN Driveline’s world class engineering capabilities, it will mean GKN Driveline is ready to support customers increased vehicle electrification requirements in Asia.

Phil Swash, CEO of GKN Driveline, said: “One third of the world’s vehicles are designed and developed by Japanese OEMs, so it is essential that GKN has world-class capability in the region. This new state-of-the-art facility will allow us to meet increasing demand for advanced All-Wheel Drive and eDrive systems, while retaining all the benefits of an automotive manufacturing site in the Nagoya area.”