BERLIN, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- Bosch will start to produce 48-volt batteries for hybrid cars at its plant in the German city of Eisenach in the summer of 2021, the German engineering and technology company announced on Thursday.
Bosch said it will invest over 80 million euros (88 million U.S. dollars) in the Eisenach site. Around 120 employees will work at the new battery production facility.
"We are confident that our 48-volt batteries from Thuringia will give us a leading position in the market," said Michael Koehler, head of the Bosch Battery Unit.
The site in Eisenach would benefit from its "favorable geographical location," its competitiveness and "highly qualified local specialists," the company noted.
Last year, Bosch and the Chinese automotive lithium-ion battery manufacturer Contemporary Amperex Technology Co. Limited (CATL) agreed on "long-term strategic cooperation" in the field of battery manufacturing.
CATL will initially supply Bosch with battery cells from its main plant in China. Currently, CATL is building a factory in the German city of Erfurt, which will supply the new series production plant in Eisenach in the future.
Bosch produced the first generation of its 48-volt batteries in a factory in China.
"We see Europe, alongside China, as an important lead market for 48-volt batteries and are therefore building up further capacities," Koehler said.
