As part of its USD1 billion investment to make its Maryville, Tennessee, U.S.A., location a manufacturing hub in North America for electrification, connectivity and advanced safety products, Japan’s DENSO said it will produce a next-generation inverter for U.S. original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). DENSO also is looking to expand new technology with other customers in the North American market.

DENSO’s continued commitment to Tennessee significantly strengthens one of its key manufacturing locations, which is localizing a critical product for North American customers focused on electric vehicles and expanding DENSO’s potential customer base.

DENSO has been a leading global developer and pioneer of electrification products and systems for environmentally friendly automobiles for more than 20 years. This marks the first production applications of DENSO’s next-generation power modules, a critical component for the smaller and more efficient inverters needed for future electrified vehicles.

“The shift to electric vehicles will occur in stages, but we need to ramp up R&D and production now. Our long-term vision is a future with enhanced mobility, with less impact on the environment, and DENSO is committed to advancing automotive innovation and helping our customers meet today’s and tomorrow’s transportation demands,” said Kenichiro Ito, chairman of DENSO’s North America Board of Directors and chief executive officer of DENSO International America.

In 2017, DENSO announced its investment in Maryville, along with the creation of 1,000+ U.S. manufacturing jobs in Tennessee. The investment expanded multiple production lines to create products like DENSO’s next-generation inverter, as well as advanced safety components, and products that connect vehicles and society.

DENSO is a USD48.1 billion global mobility supplier that develops advanced technology and components for nearly every vehicle make and model on the road today. With 170,000+ employees and manufacturing at its core, DENSO invests in its 220 facilities in 35 countries to produce thermal, powertrain, mobility, electrification, and electronic systems, to create jobs that directly change how the world moves.

Globally headquartered in Kariya, Japan, DENSO spent 8.8% of its global consolidated sales on research and development in the fiscal year ending March 31, 2018.