The automotive landscape of Japan welcomes the advent of a behemoth, Hitachi Astemo, as it paves the way for pioneering interventions across battery-electric and internal-combustion-engine vehicles.
Birthed in 2021 through the confluence of Hitachi Automotive Systems, Nissin Kogyo, Keihin, and Showa, this potent assembly champions an agenda accentuating safety, electrification, comfort, and sustainability in automotive dynamics. Their overarching strategy is a harmonious blend of distinctive proficiencies: Nissin and Chassis Brakes’ expertise in brake systems, Keihin’s prowess in powertrain solutions, Showa’s mastery in suspension and steering, all seamlessly coalescing with the core capabilities of Hitachi Automotive Systems.
“Advanced Sustainable Technologies for Mobility,” articulates Tim Clark, CEO of Hitachi Astemo Americas, encapsulating the spirit behind the brand. The vision extends beyond mere consolidation. While deriving strength from its foundational companies, the compass is firmly directed towards a horizon embellished with enhanced powertrain technology, chassis systems, and advanced driver-assistance features.
This amalgamation doesn’t just signify the union of brands; it reshapes traditional paradigms. Historically anchored to the Nissan supply ecosystem, Hitachi now, with this conglomeration, fosters a significant 40% business liaison with Honda, with the residual distributed among Nissan, General Motors, and Ford.
Being ensconced under the vast umbrella of Hitachi Ltd., this newly minted entity boasts a repository of technical acumen, avant-garde software, manufacturing dexterity, and an expansive global footprint, Clark elucidates. With a discerning eye on diversification, Clark envisions a gradual tapering of Honda’s share as new collaborations sprout. Ambition fuels their trajectory, with a projected stratospheric annual sales figure of $14.8 billion by 2025.
The electrification segment unfurls a tapestry of opportunity. By 2030, this domain alone is anticipated to burgeon, with revenue projections touching $3 billion by 2025. Commandeering a position of prominence in the market, the company’s deep-seated experience in crafting inverters and electric motors stands as a testament to its prowess.
The narrative doesn’t gravitate solely toward electrification. The internal combustion engine (ICE) retains its relevance, avers John Nunneley, Senior Vice President. He emphasizes that while the metamorphosis towards Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs) is inexorable, the legacy of ICE vehicles persists, ensuring a continued need for their components.
Peering into the crystal ball, Nunneley anticipates a surge in the symbiosis of ICE and EV systems over the ensuing decade. Hitachi Astemo, equipped with an arsenal of cutting-edge solutions, stands poised to cater to this burgeoning demand, providing both holistic systems and nuanced modules – a coveted offering for a plethora of Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).
Beyond the realm of four-wheelers, Hitachi Astemo’s resonance reverberates in the motorcycle sphere, a testament to its enduring bond with Honda. With a rich tapestry of offerings ranging from hydraulic suspensions and foundation brakes to calipers and throttle bodies, their portfolio is enviably diverse.
With aspirations soaring skyward, Hitachi Astemo amplifies its manufacturing arsenal on American soil, injecting $100 million into an expansive 752,000-ft. precinct in Berea, KY, with a specific focus on the burgeoning BEV vertical.
Yet, with prodigious growth emerges the imperative of brand resonance. To fortify its brand footprint, strategic sponsorships, encompassing the illustrious Indy Car series with Team Penske and motorcycle racing, have been meticulously curated.
As the automotive universe teeters on the brink of groundbreaking evolutions, Hitachi Astemo emerges, not merely as a participant, but as a trailblazer, sculpting the narrative of innovation, sustainability, and unparalleled growth.
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