Nidec
Nidec is the world's No. 1 comprehensive motor manufacturer
Nidec, founded in Japan in 1973, became the largest
supplier of spindle motors for hard disk drives (85% market share)
with the growth of the IT market.
In the 1990s Nidec branched off into the market for automotive
electric motors and we are now also the No. 1 supplier of electric
power steering motors (over 30% market share).
Recently, we have focused our strategy on traction motors and
drive systems for electric automobiles. Our E-Axle is already used
by a production vehicle.
E-Axle
traction
motor
system
Aion-S
super e-car
Global trends
Nidec’s product development is focused on these four global trends
No. 1 in particular is regarded as especially important.
Automotive motors have been a part of our business for over 20 years;
moving forward, this business—traction motors in particular—will define Nidec.
Mergers, acquisitions, joint ventures
・In 2006, we acquired French global automotive supplier Valeo’s motor and actuator business.
The business, which has since been moved to Germany, acts as the European headquarters
of our automotive business.
・In 2014, we acquired Honda Elesys from Honda Motor. The company, now called Nidec Elesys,
is a world-leading electronics system manufacturers that develops, manufactures and sells
electronic control units for automobiles.
・In 2015, we acquired Geräte- und Pumpenbau GmbH Dr. Eugen Schmidt—a German company
specializing in mechanical automotive pumps. Using Nidec’s motor technology, they now
manufacture electric pumps for electric vehicles.
・In 2018, we established a joint venture together with the French multinational Groupe PSA
(Peugeot S.A.) to develop electric traction motors (the motors developed together with PSA are
separate from our E-Axle traction motor system developed independently by Nidec).
・In 2019, we announced plans to acquire OMRON Automotive Electronics from Japanese
OMRON in order to strengthen our automotive electronics business.
E-Axle
(traction motor system)
E-Axle - Overview
Full lineup of automotive traction motor systems (E-Axle)
150 kW 100 kW 70 kW 110 kW coaxial designNidec is one of only a handful of non-OEM companies in the world that offer traction motor systems—the heart
of the electric vehicle—for passenger vehicles. The first cars powered by our motors started rolling out of
factories only a few months ago.
Combined, Nidec's traction motor systems can power approximately 90-95% of all existing electric passenger
car models.
“The E-Axle is the fruit of our expertise in the automotive industry as the market leader in electric power steering motors, combined
with our vast experience in the IT field as the number one supplier of small precision motors for hard disk drives and more.”
(Dr. Kazuya Hayafune - Chief Engineer and Deputy Executive General Manager of Nidec’s automotive division).
E-Axle – Timeline
September 2017
April 2018
November 2018
April 2019
May 2019
Nidec’s first traction motor
system announced
(gear & motor integrated,
separate inverter)
Nidec’s first fully integrated
traction motor system announced
First production vehicle using Nidec’s traction motor system
(fully integrated design) announced in November 2018,
and launched in May 2019.
Nidec expands E-Axle lineup with two lower-output
versions. "With these three models we cover 90 to
95% of the market for passenger vehicles"
- Dr. Kazuya Hayafune (Chief Engineer)
E-Axle – Technology
Two points of particular interest
Proprietary “cassette inserter”winding method for efficient use of winding space
Two-way oil cooling:Oil is splashed directly on theinternal parts of the motor inaddition to regular flow cooling
E-Axle – Response from the market
E-Axle system
Stand-alone motor / motor components
China: 8 OEMs Europe: 3 OEMs US: 1 OEM
Japan: 2 OEMs South Korea: 1 OEM
Europe: 1 OEM, 5 Tier 1 suppliers
Following the order from GAC NE,
we have also received large orders
from another Chinese carmaker and
a European Tier 1 supplier.
GAC NE’s Aion S
Current status (number of inquiries)
E-Axle – Production
E-Axle factory in China
Future location of traction motor production in Europe
As we are in discussions with European OEMs and Tier 1 suppliers,
we are planning to expand one of our existing factories in Poland
to start production of traction motors in Europe as well.
The E-Axle is currently produced in our
purpose-built 66,000 m2 factory in China,
since many of our existing and prospective
customers are Chinese OEMs.
In-wheel
traction motor
In-wheel motor prototype
The traction motor of the future?
Nidec’s is currently also developing an in-wheel
motor—a traction motor designed to be fitted
inside the wheel hubs.
Announced in March 2019, the prototype weighs
32 kg and can achieve a power output of over
100 kW (135 PS).
Electric power
steering motors
Electric power steering motors
Electric power steering motors are motors that
assist the driver in turning the (especially at low
speeds) otherwise heavy steering wheel.
Nidec made it’s full-scale entry into the automotive
business with this product in the 1990s.
Now, we are the No. 1 supplier of EPS motors
with a 30% share of the global market.
Our newest EPS products are powerpacks that
integrate the motor and ECU (electronic control
unit) into a single module.
Sensors
for ADAS and
autonomous driving
Sensors
Integrated sensor fusion
In addition to automotive motors, the Nidec group
also develops sensors for ADAS and autonomous
driving.
For example, Nidec’s integrated sensor fusion that
integrates a monocular camera and a millimeter
wave radar combines input from different sensors
to accurately perceive the surrounds of the car.
Additional
information
Nidec PSA eMotors
In 2018, Nidec established a joint venture for automotive electric traction motors
together with French multinational automaker Groupe PSA.
The JV, located in Carrières sous Poissy in the Paris region of France, will
design, manufacture and sell a different line of traction motors from
Nidec’s E-Axle.
Nidec 46 years ago and now
1973 2019
- Founded in Kyoto, Japan
- 1 small company
- 4 employees
- Headquartered in Kyoto, Japan
active in over 40 other countries
- Over 300 subsidiaries around the world
- Over 100,000 employees
Around JPY 1.5T / year in sales
(approx. $13B / €11.5B)
Product segments
Nidec is the world’s No.1
comprehensive motor manufacturerWe focus on “everything that spins and
moves”
Major products:
HDD spindle motors Electric power
steering motors
for cars
Vibration motors
EV traction motors (NEW)
85% market share 30% market share 40% market share
Top Related