develops 1st heavy rare earth-free motor for hybrid cars

Daido Steel

12/07/2016 03:00

TOKYO, July 12 (Reuters) - Honda Motor Co  7267.T  said it 
had co-developed the world's first electric motor for hybrid 
cars that uses no heavy rare earth metals, a breakthrough that 
would trim costs and reduce its dependence on the expensive 
materials controlled mainly by China. 
    Japan's third-largest automaker said on Tuesday the 
technology, developed with Daido Steel Co  5471.T , will be used 
in the next Freed minivan to be unveiled this autumn. 
    Hybrid vehicles, which combine a gasoline engine and 
electric motor for better mileage, have gone mainstream in many 
developed countries but procuring a steady supply of rare earth 
elements such as dysprosium and terbium has been a challenge.    
 Automakers have been trying to diversify their source of rare 
earth materials to ease their dependence on China. 
    The redesigned motor still uses a light rare earth element, 
neodymium. 
 
 (Reporting by Naomi Tajitsu and Maki Shiraki; Editing by 
Chang-Ran Kim and Chris Gallagher) 
 ((naomi.tajitsu@thomsonreuters.com; +81364411078; Reuters 
Messaging: naomi.tajitsu.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) 
 
Keywords: HONDA RAREEARTHS/