The American vehicle components giant Dana Incorporated, based in Ohio, USA, has broken ground for a new manufacturing facility for electrodynamic components and systems in Åmål, which is expected to open in the fourth quarter of 2022.

The investment of USD 50 million was announced Tuesday 23 November during a press conference and groundbreaking ceremony in Åmål attended by Dana’s management, municipal and regional representatives as well as Anna Hallberg, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs, and Jan Larsson, CEO, Business Sweden.  

Co-innovation with customers

Dana’s investment in Åmål will boost the company’s ability to meet increased demand for sustainably manufactured electric motors and e-propulsion systems from customers in Europe, primarily focusing on end-to-end manufacturing of Dana TM4 Motive™ e-motors in the 140 to 250kW capacity range.

“At Dana we are focused on delivering technologies that support the advancement of electrified vehicles that are also designed and manufactured with sustainability in mind.  Sweden is a leader in renewable energy, with 98 per cent of energy production being fossil free, which enables us to build our products using a more sustainable footprint in support of a zero-emissions future,” said Antonio Valencia, President of Dana Power Technologies and Global Electrification. 

Production at Dana’s new facility in Åmål, a municipality in Southwest Sweden’s mobility cluster, is expected to begin in the first half of 2023 when electric motors for commercial vehicle and off-highway vehicles will be manufactured with a high level of automation.

The new facility will be located adjacent to Dana’s long-standing plant in Åmål which manufactures drivelines and employs approximately 170 employees.

Anna Hallberg, Sweden’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Nordic Affairs, comments:

“It is a warmly welcome development that a world-leading company such as Dana chooses to invest in Sweden and Åmål. This is a clear example of how Sweden’s industrial innovation environment with its strong focus on sustainability strengthens our international competitiveness and benefits the entire country. Dana’s new production facility will bring new cutting-edge expertise to the sector and more highly qualified and future-focused jobs to the municipality.”

Jan Larsson, CEO, Business Sweden adds:

“Dana Incorporated is one of world’s top 40 global automotive suppliers whose products have helped to drive history’s greatest vehicles, including the iconic Model T Ford. I am delighted that Sweden has proven to be a springboard for the company as it accelerates into the new electric era. Allow me to extend our warmest welcome to the entire Dana team and to congratulate Åmål Municipality on this important investment.”    

Strategic location in Northern Europe

Dana’s decision to establish a new manufacturing facility in Åmål was based on three key factors; close proximity to leading innovators in West Sweden’s mobility cluster, availability of highly skilled competence and synergies with the existing plant, as well as an efficient geographical location to serve a broad spectrum of European customers.

“Our new production facility will be a shining example of the high level of excellence that Dana needs to meet market expectations on efficiency, reliability, performance and sustainability. The investment in Åmål will allow us to leverage Dana’s world-class operational excellence team in Sweden to deliver highly innovative technology to support premium e-Propulsion systems for our European customers, as they shift toward electrified transportation,” says Robert Boffey, Site Manager, Dana Incorporated in Sweden.  

Global supplier boosts Sweden’s mobility cluster

High-quality investments made in Sweden by international companies play a key role for jobs creation, innovation and export-led growth. Foreign-owned companies account for approximately half of Sweden’s total exports.   

To provide Dana with the best possible support in the investment process, Sweden’s local, regional and national trade promotion and development agencies offered continuous guidance, strategic advice and practical assistance.

These support services were coordinated through close collaboration between Business Sweden, the Swedish Energy Agency, Fyrbodal Association of Local Authorities, Position Väst Investment Office, the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth, Region Västra Götaland and Åmål Municipality, as part of a strategic long-term initiative to help international companies invest and expand in Sweden. For this investment, Dana also received financing from the Swedish Energy Agency via the government fund “Industriklivet”, in accordance with the objectives set out by the EU’s Recovery Fund, as well as a regional investment grant from the Swedish Agency for Economic and Regional Growth.   

Dana's investment will now have considerable positive spillover effects for Sweden’s automotive cluster and the local business community in Åmål, says Kristina Jonäng, Regional Head of Business Development, Region Västra Götaland:

“Building on our innovation capabilities and expanding local competence is key in the current transition, especially in the automotive industry. That’s why this establishment in Åmål will be important for the whole of West Sweden, with a positive impact on local employment and region’s attractiveness and international competitiveness. There is also a great potential for further upskilling in Åmål with close support from education providers and vocational high schools.

Michael Karlsson, Chairman of the Municipal Board in Åmål, concludes:

“For decades, Åmål's competence and tradition have contributed to the development of the Swedish and international automotive industry. With this investment, Sweden and Åmål will take the lead in the green transition.”

For further information, please contact:

Business Sweden's press service: press@business-sweden.se, +46 8 588 66 007

Please see separate press information from Åmål Municipality for further details:

About Dana Incorporated

Dana is a leader in the design and manufacture of highly efficient propulsion and energy-management solutions that power vehicles and machines in all mobility markets across the globe.  The company is shaping sustainable progress through its conventional and clean-energy solutions that support nearly every vehicle manufacturer with drive and motion systems; electrodynamic technologies, including software and controls; and thermal, sealing, and digital solutions.

Based in Maumee, Ohio, USA, the company reported sales of $7.1 billion in 2020 with 38,000 associates in 33 countries across six continents. Founded in 1904, Dana was named one of “America’s Most Responsible Companies 2021” by Newsweek for its emphasis on sustainability and social responsibility.  The company is driven by a high-performance culture that focuses on valuing others, inspiring innovation, growing responsibly, and winning together, earning it global recognition as a top employer, including “World's Best Employer” from Forbes magazine. Dana’s presence in Sweden dates back more than a century and the company currently has multiple facilities in the country supporting both the mobility and industrial industries. Learn more at dana.com.

About Team Sweden

Business Sweden helps Swedish companies grow global sales and international companies invest and expand in Sweden. Working in close collaboration with regional trade promotion and development agencies within the Team Sweden initiative, we gather complementary competencies to support international decision-makers in the evaluation process for high-quality investments. Read more about the Team Sweden collaboration at business-sweden.com