To maximize growth opportunities in the mass transit sector in Asia, Hydro-Québec's motor manufacturer subsidiary, TM4, plans to redirect the focus of its operations to motors for heavy vehicles and buses and scale back on its light-vehicle segment.

"By refocusing TM4, we will be in a better position to keep up with the ongoing electrification of the transportation industry, ensure the company's long-term viability and enable it to seize new business opportunities as they arise," the company said in a March 29 release.

The move will cause the termination of about 30 jobs, but the research and development activities of the company will remain at its Boucherville facilities in Québec.

The shares of TM4's joint venture prestolite electric propulsion systems in the Chinese market grew from 0.4% in 2015 to 4% in 2016 and are expected to further climb 7% to 8% this year, according to the company.