The Rise of Electromobility, An Opportunity We Must Use
BUSINESS INTERVIEW
www.posiv.cz ǀ 15
flagship electromobility products under
the supervision of the experienced project
team that lead manufacturing in Frenštát.
These new products are a unique concept of
performance electronics.
Could you tell us some more information
about your flagship products?
They are high-voltage electronic devices
for the electrification of the vehicle drive
train. As I mentioned before, these
are aimed solely at battery powered
vehicles. The main product that will be
manufactured at the Hrušov plant, will
be the largest unit of its kind to date. It
merges multiple components into one:
a voltage converter, on-board charger,
fast charging module and the vehicle’s
power distribution unit. The product
weighs several dozen kilograms and is
placed under the back seats. The unit is
still in its development phase as we are
working on it closely with our customer.
Vitesco Technologies has devoted
300 development engineers from
thirteen of its locations around the world
to this project.
Can you reveal to us who this customer
is? Which cars might we find the unit in
eventually?
It is a prominent German customer. We
already produce components for most of
the largest names of the automotive world
in Frenštát and Trutnov. You can find our
products in cars of almost any brand.
What role will the new facility play
in your global strategy, especially in
the context of the expansion of your
production capacity and product
portfolio? What is the position of your
German HQ towards this investment?
Getting approval for this investment
was definitely not easy, but the fact
that top management agreed in the end
shows the trust the board of directors
has in the course we have set out for
ourselves. This was further confirmed
last year when the company CEO,
Andreas Wolf, came to visit the Frenštát
plant. According to him, Czechia has
great potential in the development
of electromobility. Our headquarters
therefore see our Frenštát and, soon-
to-be, Ostrava facilities as two strategic
locations for the future development of
e-mobility on a global scale.
In addition to all of that, your project
also received investment incentives from
the government.
This is something I am very excited about.
Yes, part of the investment will be covered
by investment incentives, which we applied
and received approval for earlier this year.
Support of our unique and technologically
advanced project will significantly
contribute to the competitiveness of
this economic sector and, at the same
time, it fits perfectly into the strategy laid
out for the transformation of the Czech
automotive industry. The incentive also
supports Vitesco’s intentions to invest
14.4 billion CZK in the Czech Republic by
the end of 2027.
The manufacturing facility featuring
an automated logistics center will be
built in Ostrava-Hrušov. Why did you
decide on this location? Did logistics
and access to a qualified workforce
play a role, or was there something else
entirely that influenced the decision?
It was a combination of everything.
The location is ideal in terms of logistics,
with quick highway access and close
proximity to international routes. The area
is also easily accessible and is well covered
by public transport. Ostrava offers a great
potential workforce, both in terms of
production employees and specialists in
various fields. On top of that, the facility’s
infrastructure will be built on a reclaimed
brownfield and the construction will have
no negative impact on the surrounding
environment, which fits perfectly into our
conception of sustainability and social
responsibility. The structures will meet
the strictest ecological regulations and
will feature specialised water and energy
monitoring and management systems
that will make maximum use of roof
photovoltaics.
Being located in Ostrava will additionally
allow us to more closely cooperate with
the academic sphere, including local
Universities and Vocational Schools.
This will then create great synergy with
our research and development center in
Ostrava-Hrabová.
Do you have specific plans about the
development of your partnership with
local educational institutions?
Maintaining a close relationship with
Universities not only in Ostrava, but
also in other cities, is crucial for us.
The collaboration between VŠB-TUO
and our Ostrava R&D center is already
extensive, and this is something we
would like to expand on further. We
want to show students the benefits of
working with us and thereby acquire more
potential employees among their ranks.
It is worth mentioning that our research
and development center in Ostrava,
which employs almost 300 people, is
one of the largest of its kind in Czechia.
Vitesco Technologies products developed
here are then sent out to be produced in
various locations around the world and
used by all the major car manufacturers.
Critics of electromobility often argue
about lacking infrastructure, resource
problems, the semiconductor crisis and
so on. What would you say to them?
Vitesco Technologies and onsemi
announced their agreement to supply
silicon carbide (SiC) products worth
1.75 billion euros over the next decade.
This will give our company more space
for growth in the field of electrification
technologies. SiC allows for extended
range and higher performance in electric
vehicles. This is why it is key for us to
have access to the complete production
and supply chain of SiC through our
cooperation with onsemi. A large portion
of this global deal will be implemented at
the facilities in our region.
What are your expectations for the
future? What impact will your investment
and innovation have on the future of
the automotive market, specifically when
it comes to electric vehicles?
We make all decisions and investments
after careful consideration of the future.
We want to ensure the future and
continuity of our production. We want
to guarantee the financial health of our
company. We aim to guarantee jobs for
our employees. In the case of the Ostrava
plant, we also want to create new
opportunities for the region.
In the years to come, there is great
potential for the further development of
electromobility, not only in the Moravian-
Silesian region, but in the entirety of
Czechia. I consider electromobility to be
an opportunity we must make use of to
maintain the industrial development of
the country.
Mr Kývala, thank you for the interview.
“
Weplacedourbetsongreen
andtookadiveintocleanand
sustainablemobility.
”
“
Alargeporonofthisglobal
dealwillbeimplementedat
thefaciliesinourregion.
”