Renault Group and Geely Holding launch Horse Powertrain Ltd. based in London - ET Auto

The joint venture’s complementary product portfolio and regional footprint could offer solutions for 80% of the growing global hybrid and combustion powertrain market.

New Delhi: Following the joint venture agreement signed on July 11, 2023, and after having obtained the approval of the relevant authorities, Renault Group, Geely Holding Group (Geely Holding), Geely Automobile Holdings Limited (Geely Auto) (collectively referred to above as “Geely”) have officially created Horse Powertrain Limited, headquartered in London

Matias Giannini is appointed CEO of Horse Powertrain Limited. The Board of directors of Horse Powertrain Limited will be chaired by Daniel Li and will have 6 directors with equal representation from its shareholders.

Horse Powertrain Limited expects to reach about EUR 15 billion in annual revenues and a production of around 5 million powertrain units per year.

From day 1 it will have a complete portfolio of state-of-the-art powertrain technologies for global partners including hybrid systems, internal combustion engines, transmissions, and battery solutions, the company said in a media release.

Luca de Meo, CEO, Renault Group, said, “Today marks an important step in meeting the greatest challenges facing the automotive industry: the decarbonization of road transport. Partnering with a leading company like Geely to create a new player with the capability and expertise to develop ultra-low emission internal combustion engines and high economy hybrid technologies is key for the future. Through HORSE Powertrain, Renault Group can achieve worldwide leadership and scale in a sector representing more than 80% of its business. Together we will rise to meet the decarbonization challenge with innovation at the forefront of our operations.”

Eric Li, Geely Holding Chairman, said, “For the industry to reach net zero emissions in the next decades, global synergies, multiple technologies, and sharing of expertise, are crucial. That is why we are pleased that our partnership with Renault Group is reaching commercial reality today. HORSE Powertrain Limited will have the portfolio, scale and capacity to offer the low-emission solutions the automotive industry of tomorrow demands. Today’s launch marks a new chapter in sustainable mobility, and we at Geely are proud to play a part.”

Renault Group and Geely believe that a combination of various powertrain technologies is necessary, including highly efficient internal combustion engines (ICE), lower carbon e-fuels, and hydrogen, to achieve a successful decarbonization in a world where more than half of vehicles produced are expected to still rely on combustion engines by 2040.

This paves the way for ultra-low emission hybrid and combustion technologies Horse Powertrain Limited will design, develop, produce, and sell all hybrid and combustion powertrain solutions and systems with state-of-the-art technologies including engines, transmissions, hybrid systems and batteries, the release added.

This project will aid both the companies from immediate scale effect and market coverage enhancement. Supported by the transfer of Intellectual Property from Renault Group and Geely, Horse Powertrain Limited is now fully autonomous in developing future powertrain technologies capable of addressing all market expectations, notably in the field of alternative fuels such as green methanol, ethanol, and hydrogen.

The joint venture’s complementary product portfolio and regional footprint could offer solutions for 80% of the growing global hybrid and combustion powertrain market.

Horse Powertrain will supply multiple industrial customers including Renault Group, Geely Auto, Volvo Cars, Proton, Nissan and Mitsubishi Motors Company. The company is ready to engage with customers and partners around the world to support them with end to end solutions in powertrain technologies and will welcome partners to further strengthen the value chain.

All types of hybrid solutions are covered – full hybrids and long-range plug-in hybrids as well as internal combustion engines that use alternative fuels such as ethanol, methanol, LPG, CNG, H2 etc.