Business Enquirer Issue 117 | Punch Powertrain | September 2023

PUNCHING FORWARD IN THE EV SPACE

PUNCH POWERTRAIN

The modular solutions manufacturer has a proven track record of delivering high-quality transmission kits, with a wide range of conventional, hybrid and electric powertrain solutions.

“We develop modular solutions based on proven technologies to make them more affordable. Ultimately we have a vision to help drive the adoption of green mobility solutions worldwide,” said Sebastien Mazoyer, CEO.

Partnerships Behind the Wheel

With nine locations across the globe, Punch Powertrain has formed partnerships with three key players in the industry - Stellantis, TaTa AutoComp Systems, and NIO.

The business’ long standing relationship with Stellantis (a merger between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and PSA), recently saw the joint venture invest in the MiraFiori Complex, Italy, for e-transmission production. This investment not only supports Punch Powertrain’s growth plans, but Stellantis’ efforts to become a sustainable mobility technology company reaching carbon net zero by 2038.

PUNCH POWERTRAIN PROJECT DIRECTED

BY: REECE PLANE

ARTICLE WRITTEN BY: LAURA WATLING

Punch Powertrain, which has been in business for over half a century, is on a mission to secure its position as the global agile partner of choice to automotive OEMs.

PUNCHING FORWARD IN THE EV SPACE

Sebastien Mazoyer, CEO, Punch Powertrain

The 50/50 joint venture between Stellantis and Punch Powertrain, called e-Transmissions Assembly, manufactures and supplies breakthrough eDCTs for the Stellantis’ next generation of hybrid and PHEV models.

The new Mirafiori e-Transmissions Assembly site is expected to start production in 2024. At full production, the Mirafiori and Metz, France, facilities will supply all relevant Stellantis manufacturing sites in Europe.

Announced in September 2022 with production starting in June 2023, the venture between Punch Powertrain and TaTa AutoComp Systems includes the design, manufacturing, marketing and sales of a revolutionary compact dual clutch transmission design (DT1).

The partnership includes a wide range of activities to supply Punch Powertrain’s conventional-hybrid DCTs, continuously variable transmission (CVT) and EV reducers to customers in India.

Meanwhile, Punch Powertrain secured its relationship with NIO in 2018, in a joint venture which saw a €10 million investment into a new production facility in Nanjing, China.

“These partnerships have enabled us to learn quickly from our customer’s requirements, make appropriate investments, build credibility, and secure business for the future,” explained Sebastien.

Ambitious Growth Targets

With governments worldwide setting out its targets for electric vehicle uptake, Punch Powertrain is utilising its agility to support the increasing demand. In turn, it’s hoped this will support its ambitious growth strategy.

With an established presence in China, Belgium, Germany, France and the Netherlands, Sebastien aims to see the company grow from a €400 million turnover to €2.8 billion by 2025.

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The Chinese government, a country which has the highest CO2 emissions in the world, has pledged that EVs will become the mainstream of new vehicle sales and the passenger sector will be fully electrified by 2035.

“There is huge potential in the Chinese market, where the government has set a clear roadmap which is full speed ahead,” commented Sebastien, “the EU’s Euro 7 proposal will also play a role in the growth in the market and our business”, he continued.

Amongst its targets, the Euro 7 proposal will enforce emission limits to all vehicles, no matter their fuel or power source.

Taking on the role of CEO in May 2023, Sebastien is a qualified mechanical engineer complemented with a MBA, always having worked in the automotive industry.

Despite being born in France, Sebastien has spent more time working outside of his birth country than in it, taking on roles in Germany, Sweden, China, Korea and Belgium.

“My history has enabled me to experience different cultures and leadership styles, and now Punch Powertrain has enabled me to implement that experience in my own way,” shared Sebastien, “I believe in creating value locally but with a global reach, creating synergies, building partnerships, and doing all of that with a passion for creating a product which improves the future of our planet,”.

Modular Technology is the Driving Force

With a variety of partner vehicles on the market, Punch Powertrain has developed an innovative solution to enable as many OEMs as possible to achieve emission reduction targets.

Punch Powertrain’s E-Propulsion Technology Kit is composed of transmissions, e-motors and inverters, including a digital platform with software.

The scalable and modular Electric Drive Unit (EDU) building blocks can be adopted separately or as integrated drive systems, which can be used for applications ranging from two-wheel drive, four-wheel drive, single motor, twin motor, single speed or multi-speed EDUs.

“All individual systems in the E-Propulsion Technology Kit are driven by our full in-house expertise in cost-optimal design methodologies combined with dedicated innovations and state-of-the-art technologies,” explained Sebastien.

Having acquired its EV technology in 2018, Punch Powertrain is one of the newest manufacturers in the space. This, Sebastien believes, plays massively in its favour.

“We’ve started from scratch in this market, rather than adapting existing products to adopt EV technologies. This means we’ve been able to learn from our competition, and bring the most refined product to the market which can be customised to customer needs,” he said.

With its technology, Punch Powertrain’s eDCT products enable vehicles to be driven in electric in every gear, whilst enabling longer range thanks to efficient patented technology.

With joint ventures forming a core part of its growth strategy, the business will now look to consider technical and financial partners to support the business next steps.

‘We’re seeking to penetrate the expanding market in India, as well as emerging markets in South America and Africa,” shared Sebastien, “ultimately we are passionate about adding value for OEMS, and bringing electric vehicles to the masses at affordable costs”.

www.punchpowertrain.com