Nidec Corporation held an opening ceremony last May for new factories in Novi Sad, Republic of Serbia. The new companies, Nidec Electric Motor Serbia and Nidec Elesys Europe will produce automotive components to fill in the automotive supply chain in the region. Specifically, Nidec Electric Motor Serbia plans to mass-produce automotive motors while Nidec Elesys Europe plans to mass-produce automotive inverters and electronic component units (ECUs).

Aleksandar Vučić, President of the Republic of Serbia led the group of public officials who attended the opening ceremony along with executives from Nidec and business partners. Among them are Tetsuya Tsubota, Charge d’Affaires a.i., Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Serbia; Mitsuya Kishida, Senior Managing Executive Officer, Nidec Corporation; Takashi Furuhashi, President and CEO, Nidec Elesys Co., Ltd.; Toshiki Saito, Chairman and Executive Officer, Nidec Elesys Co., Ltd. President, Nidec Elesys Europe; and Yasuki Kawasaka, President, Nidec Electric Motor Serbia Co., Ltd.

Background of the Opening of the New Factories

In Europe, stricter environmental regulations are in place. Meanwhile, heightened CO₂ emission regulations for automobiles are implemented in major countries. As a result, the demand for the company’s automotive motors and inverters, and ECUs is expanding.

To build an efficient supply system in Europe, Nidec needs to establish new factories in Serbia as a centralized base for the Group’s production activities. In the future, multiple businesses of the Group companies are scheduled to expand into the local area. Moreover, this project is in line with the “Western Balkans Cooperation Initiative” that the Japanese government is working on in Serbia and other regions. Nidec has received a great deal of support from both the governments of Japan and Serbia.

Specifically, Nidec Electric Motor Serbia plans to mass-produce automotive motors. For its part, Nidec Elesys Europe plans to mass-produce automotive inverters and ECUs. The companies will strengthen their recruitment mainly of technical personnel. Moreover, it will contribute to the revitalization of the regional economy of the Novi Sad surrounding area in Serbia.

Amid the anticipated mass production of the “E-Axle” traction motor system for electric vehicles in Europe in the future, the company is also promoting activities to attract suppliers. Also, it will build an industrial cluster of automotive motors for the European market.