SOUTHFIELD, Mich. — Denso Corp., a maker of automotive systems and components, is expanding its U.S. footprint with a $1 billion investment in its Maryville, Tenn., facility.
The investment is part of Denso's commitment to advancing automotive innovation in North America, and will significantly increase the role North America plays in the global trend toward vehicle safety and electrification, the Kariya, Japan-based company said.
The investment will create more than 1,000 jobs in Maryville, making it a primary manufacturing center in North America for electrification and safety systems, the company said.
The investment also will expand multiple production lines to produce advanced safety, connectivity and electrification products for hybrid and electric vehicles. These new products are aimed at improving fuel efficiency and preserve electric power by recovering and recycling energy, and by connecting all systems and products inside the vehicles.
Denso said it has been developing its roadmap for future mobility for the past three years, including determining the best location to establish its North American manufacturing hub.
"This is an investment in the future of Denso and also the future of transportation. We are seeing dramatic shifts in the role of transportation in society and this investment will help position us to meet those changing demands," said Kenichiro Ito, chairman of Denso's North America board of directors and CEO of Denso International America.
Denso's products will be designed to anticipate road environment via collaboration with information outside the car and using data to enhance performance of electrified products.
Previously, Denso announced a $400 million investment in Maryville in 2015, adding 500 jobs and consolidating various warehouse operations into one central location. The company broke ground on the facility in July 2016.
The company recently invested $75.5 million in its Southfield, Mich., headquarters and Dublin, Ohio, facilities.
With its North American headquarters, Denso employs more than 23,000 at 28 consolidated subsidiaries and four affiliates across North America. Of these, 25 are manufacturing facilities located in the U.S., Canada and Mexico.
In the U.S., Denso employs more than 17,000 people in Alabama, Arkansas, California, Iowa, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.
Denso's North American consolidated sales totaled $9.6 billion for the fiscal year ended March 31. Consolidated global sales totaled $40.4 billion.