General Motors is developing a domestic supply chain for automotive-grade permanent magnets used in electric vehicle motors. The company leverages its historical experience in magnet and motor engineering, dating back to the early 1980s, to refine motor performance and efficiency.
In 2021, GM established a long-term agreement with MP Materials to secure a U.S.-based supply of magnets. As a foundational customer, GM supported the development of MP Materials' manufacturing facility in Fort Worth, Texas, which processes rare earth materials mined in California.
The collaboration has reached the production stage five years after the initial agreement. MP Materials is currently manufacturing automotive magnets at its Texas site, while GM teams are conducting testing and validation of these components in electric motors at laboratories in Pontiac, Michigan.
