Remy unveils ‘off the shelf’ electric motor

Pendleton-based Remy International today formally unveiled its “off the shelf” electric motors for hybrid vehicles.

Remy has for years produced electric motors for General Motors’ hybrid SUVs, such as the GMC Denali and Cadillac
Escalade.

Remy CEO John Weber last month told IBJ that the standardized line being unveiled would allow the company
to offer to hybrid automakers a variety of applications quickly and at a lower cost, as opposed to custom-tailored applications
for a particular vehicle.

Remy is primarily known for automotive alternators and starters. But Weber estimated
motors for hybrid vehicles could amount to one-third of Remy sales in five years.

The company, formerly part of
General Motors, recently announced a hybrid motor supply contract with Daimler AG, and is to announce another contract later
this year.

Standardization could support mass-production of hybrid motors, possibly in Indiana, although Remy has
yet to announce plans.

It already produces a small amount of hybrid motors at its Anderson facility.  Over
the last several years, Remy moved production of automotive components out of Anderson to low-wage countries.