Auto leaders’ venture company picks North Carolina global headquarters

A venture company founded by seven of the world’s largest automakers will make North Carolina its global headquarters, backed by more than $3 million in taxpayer subsidy as potential reimbursement.

IONNA says it is purpose-built to “lead, innovate, create, and drive forward a redefinition of charging as an end-to-end integrated customer experience” in the electric automotive industry. BMW, General Motors, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, Kia, and Stellantis formed the coalition with the idea of “reimagining electric vehicle charging.”

The company’s launch includes a plan to design, develop, build and operate a high-powered electric vehicle charging network “key to increased EV adoption in North America.”

A company release says the site will “house a customer experience lab serving as the quarterback and central node to seven new satellite labs at each of the founding” coalition members’ facilities.

North Carolina landed the start-up in part because of a Job Development Investment Grant approved by the Economic Investment Committee on Tuesday.

The 12-year grant authorizes potential reimbursement of $3,075,000 over 12 years.