Ever wonder who actually makes that satisfying "click" when you flip your turn signal or adjust your power seat? Most people assume it's the car brand on the steering wheel. It usually isn't. Honestly, there is a massive chance that the mechatronics in your driveway were dreamed up at 350 Stephenson Highway.
That’s the home of Kostal of America Troy MI, a critical nerve center for a global empire that has been around since 1912.
They aren't a household name like Ford or GM, but in the world of "Tier 1" suppliers, they are royalty. While the parent company, Leopold Kostal GmbH & Co. KG, sits comfortably in Lüdenscheid, Germany, the Troy office is where the American rubber meets the road. It’s a place where German precision gets tailored for the North American market.
What is Kostal of America Troy MI actually doing?
Basically, they specialize in the stuff that makes a car feel high-end without you noticing it. We're talking about steering column modules, door control units, and the increasingly complex world of shift-by-wire.
If you’ve driven a car made in the last decade, you’ve likely interacted with their tech. They don't just "make parts." They solve the headache of how a dozen different electronic functions can live inside a single steering column without short-circuiting or feeling like cheap plastic.
The Troy facility serves as the North American headquarters. It’s a hub for:
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- Research and Development: Testing how sensors hold up in Michigan winters versus Arizona heat.
- Sales and Marketing: Managing the billion-dollar relationships with Detroit’s Big Three.
- Project Management: Coordinating between the German engineers and the local assembly lines.
It’s a specialized environment. Harry Asher, the CEO of Kostal of America, oversees a team that bridges the gap between old-school mechanical engineering and the software-heavy future of EVs.
The Michigan Connection
Troy is the perfect spot for them. You’ve got the Oakland Mall just down the street and the Somerset Collection nearby, but more importantly, you’re in the "Automation Alley" corridor.
Being at 350 Stephenson Hwy puts them right in the middle of the action. This isn't just a satellite office; it's a 400+ person operation that handles the heavy lifting for the North American market.
People often confuse them with a standard manufacturing plant. While they do have massive production footprints in places like Mexico and Macedonia (where they just announced a 30 million Euro investment for 2026), Troy is the brain. It’s where the high-level engineering happens.
Why this matters for the future of your car
The industry is pivoting. Fast. We’re moving away from physical buttons to touch-sensitive surfaces and "smart" interiors. Kostal is at the forefront of this, specifically with their work on haptic feedback and integrated sensors.
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They recently showcased new tech at IAA Mobility 2025 in Munich, focusing on "Driving & Comfort Experience." A lot of the testing for how those "intuitive" controls feel to an American driver happens right here in Troy. They want to make sure that when you touch a screen or a capacitive button, it feels deliberate, not laggy.
Misconceptions about Kostal of America Troy MI
A common mistake is thinking they only do "switches." That was 1950.
Today, they are heavily invested in electromobility. This includes:
- Onboard Chargers (OBC): The tech that actually lets your EV take power from the grid.
- Power Electronics: Managing the flow of high-voltage electricity so your car doesn't turn into a paperweight.
- Sustainability: They just snagged an EcoVadis Bronze Medal in early 2026 for their ESG efforts.
Another weird thing? People think they are a public company you can buy stock in. You can’t. They are still a family-owned business, now in its fourth generation under Andreas Kostal. This allows them to think in decades rather than quarterly earnings reports, which is why they’ve survived two World Wars and the transition to electric cars.
Career stuff and the local vibe
If you're an engineer in Metro Detroit, Kostal is usually on the "shortlist." They’ve got a reputation for being a bit more stable than the bigger, flashier Tier 1s.
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They offer the standard 401(k) matches and competitive PTO, but the real draw is the "German-American" work culture. It’s structured, but there’s a massive emphasis on "energy and empathy," which is their internal slogan. They are currently looking to grow their workforce globally by about 20% over the next year to keep up with EV demand.
Actionable Insights for Partners and Job Seekers
If you’re looking to do business with them or land a role at the Troy office, keep these things in mind:
- Focus on Mechatronics: They aren't just looking for "coders" or "mechanics." They want people who understand where software meets hardware.
- Understand the EV Pivot: If you don't know the difference between an AC and DC charging system, you're behind. Kostal is betting the farm on power electronics.
- Local Networking: Since they are a private family company, relationships matter. The Troy office is deeply integrated into the local Michigan engineering community.
Kostal of America Troy MI isn't just another office building off I-75. It’s one of the reasons the "Detroit" automotive spirit is still alive, even if the headquarters of the parent company is across the Atlantic. They are the silent architects of the modern driving experience.
Next time you use a gear selector or adjust your mirrors, look at the precision. There’s a good chance a team in Troy, Michigan, spent thousands of hours making sure it worked exactly the way you expected.
Key Contact Details for Reference
- Address: 350 Stephenson Highway, Troy, MI 48083
- Phone: +1 (248) 284-6500
- Specialization: Automotive Electrical Systems and Mechatronics
The company continues to expand its footprint in the EV charging sector through its Compleo and vaylens brands, ensuring that the Troy team will remain busy well into the next decade of automotive evolution.