The new plant that Hyundai Mobis is building is being built in Spain, which is the centre of the European car market. Mobis is already operating production facilities for battery systems in the Czech Republic, China, and Korea, and it is also constructing several more in the USA and Indonesia. The new plant in Spain will function as a specialised facility supplying Volkswagen, one of its major clients, and marks a significant strategic entry into Western Europe. By 2026, the facility is expected to be operational.
Mobis strategic directions of “electrification” and “expansion of global orders” heavily rely on Spanish manufacturing. The business signed a significant BSA supply agreement with Volkswagen last year.
The term “BSA” refers to the entire system that integrates electrical components and the Battery Management System (BMS) into the battery pack to enable the battery to operate safely and effectively in electric vehicles. The quality and performance of electric vehicles are largely dependent on their high-capacity and effective battery systems.
To support this endeavour, Mobis intends to invest 170 billion KRW (about 120 million euros / Rs 1,054 crore), excluding land and facilities, in the Spanish plant by 2030. To maximise efficiency, the facility will also install cutting-edge electrical equipment technologies. Its purpose is to function as a standard electrification model specifically designed for international clientele.
The site of the Spanish factory for Mobis spans approximately 150,000 square metres, equivalent to the size of 21 soccer fields, with a building area of 50,000 square metres. It will produce up to 360,000 battery systems annually. The BSA produced here will be installed in Volkswagen’s next-generation electric vehicle platforms manufactured at a factory located 14 kilometres away in Pamplona.
Navarre is located in the northernmost part of Spain, bordering France, and serves as a bridgehead for entry into mainland Europe. Known as Europe’s second-largest automotive manufacturing base after Germany, it is strategically located within 2 to 3 hours of major global automakers and automotive suppliers from Pamplona.
Jung In-bo, the head of the Spanish electrification plant of Mobis, said: “We are committed to being Volkswagen’s long-term partner through stable auto component supplies, and we will strive to diversify our supply base in Europe, including supplying upcoming models for our client.