China’s EV startups turning to established suppliers

News reach us speaking of two strategic cooperations. Electric carmaker WM Motor of China has turned to BorgWarner as a seasoned supplier of electric drives. Also Byton, China’s EV startup with a western all-star board, announced a cooperation with Bosch.

First to the WM Motor and BorgWarner agreement that has been fixed to last over three years. BorgWarner is expected to contribute a number of their electric drive technologies to the partnership, including the eDM module.

This electric drive module has marked the start of the two companies working together already earlier this year, when they announced the eDM would power WM Motor’s first electric SUV, the EX5 they are selling in China.

The now formally advanced cooperation “marks a major step for BorgWarner’s expansion in China’s new-energy vehicle market,” said Tom Tan, President of BorgWarner China. He added they were to “fuel the development of the Chinese electric vehicle industry with our efficient electrical systems and high-performance electric power products.”

The orientation towards China had become apparent earlier this month when the supplier announced they had won contracts with three major carmakers from China. One to work with BorgWarner is Great Wall reportedly. The state-owned company opted for the eDM module as well. It will be used in their upcoming C30 electric vehicle and for electric vehicles of their dedicated EV brand ORA.

BorgWarner offers this component for both electric and hybrid vehicles. BorgWarner is also supplying two unnamed Chinese manufacturers with its coaxial P2 module and electro-hydraulically operated control unit.

And now to Byton, the EV startup of former BMWi man Carsten Breitfeld. The German-led company has turned to Bosch and signed a strategic cooperation agreement in Dusseldorf. They will focus “on powertrain technology, braking systems, and driver assistance systems,” says the press release but details remain unknown. Yet, Byton CEO Breitfeld offered some words on the partnership that “will allow the two sides to share resources, complement advantages, and drive business innovation to jointly offer the customers products with better quality and price.”

Byton is currently preparing for series production of its first electric car. Based on the M-Byte concept the SUV is set for launch in late 2019. Moreover, Byton unveiled a second electric car concept, the K-Byte at this year’s CES in Asia reportedly.

borgwarner.com (BorgWarner), reuters.com (Bosch)