BorgWarner is expanding its powertrain technical center in Auburn Hills, MI, a move that the company expects will add up to 200 jobs in engineering, program management, and sales. When completed in early 2015, the nearly 46,000-ft² (4300-m²) addition “will help us accelerate innovation for current and future programs," said Christopher Thomas, Vice President and Chief Technology Officer. The $11 million project is supported by a $3.2 million performance-based grant from the Michigan Business Development Program, plus property tax abatements from the city of Auburn Hills. The expansion follows construction of a new engineering garage and vehicle test lab completed earlier this year. BorgWarner's U.S. expansion supports new business including supply of two-speed, part-time transfer cases for the 2014 Toyota Tundra. The units feature a unique electromagnetic synchronization for the 2WD-to-4WD engagement process. They are manufactured in BorgWarner's Seneca, SC, plant in which the powertrain systems supplier has invested nearly $60 million since 2009.
Continue reading »