Siemens and Valeo to form joint venture in high-voltage electric powertrains
18 April 2016
Siemens and Valeo have signed an agreement to form a joint venture in high voltage powertrains for the entire range of electric vehicles including hybrids, plug-in hybrids and full electric vehicles. Building upon the complementary scope and portfolio of the partners, the joint venture will provide substantial synergies in manufacturing and sourcing and create a base for sustained growth and profitability.
Siemens said that the electric vehicle components market is expected to grow with a compound annual growth rate of more than 20% until 2020. According to the agreement, Siemens and Valeo will each hold a 50% stake in the joint venture, have joint control and account for their respective stake using the equity method.
We are delighted at the perspective of combining our strengths with Siemens in electrified powertrain systems. With the expertise offered by Siemens, a leader in power electronics and electric motor product, Valeo would maintain its technological lead by offering a comprehensive line-up of technologies ranging from micro-hybrid to all-electric solutions. This joint venture also illustrates the ability of European companies to develop leading industrial partnerships to bring breakthrough technologies to the global market.
—Jacques Aschenbroich, Chairman and CEO of Valeo
Valeo will be contributing its high-voltage power electronics business, including 200 employees of which 90 are based in France, and which is part of the Powertrain Systems Business Group (PTS). Siemens will be contributing its E-Car Powertrain Systems Business Unit, employing around 500 people of which 370 are based in Germany and 130 in China.
The joint venture will have full business responsibility for the development, the sales and the production of high-voltage electric motors and power electronics products above 60V, required for electrified passenger cars and light commercial vehicles. The joint-venture will be able to provide an extended range of products from hybrid drive-train modules and solutions, including electric motors, range-extenders, DC/DC converters, inverters and chargers, to a fully electrified powertrain.
Siemens and Valeo strongly complement one another with regard to their product portfolios, production know-how and geographical spread. As a leading automotive player with strong market intimacy, Valeo has a strong industrial expertise, providing a worldwide customer base in powertrains with competitive and advanced high-voltage electronics produced by automotive certified production lines. Siemens’ e car unit leverages the Group’s system design competences in electric drivetrains, its strong engineering and validation base with an excellent experience in traction motor products.
The company’s structures will be lean and adapted to global market requirements and the international competitive environment. Its headquarters will be located in Erlangen, Germany.
The joint-venture will have a global focus and cost-efficient regional set-up, providing access to key markets for automotive electrification, such as Europe and China: headquartered in Germany, with facilities in France, Norway, Poland, Hungary and China.
The project is subject to consultation of the employee representatives. Subject to approval of the relevant authorities, the joint venture is expected to start operations in the last quarter of calendar year 2016.
This joint-venture will help to offer high quality electric drive trains and associated components to the car industry worldwide?
It would be beneficial for the joint-venture to hire a few Toyota employees specialised in e-drive train design and manufacturing?
Posted by: HarveyD | 18 April 2016 at 03:06 PM
When I saw the headline, I assumed they were talking about much above the present 400 VDC passenger car stuff. But they mean > 60 VDC??? What planet are they from? Lead Acidville?
Posted by: James McLaughlin | 18 April 2016 at 06:57 PM
@ James : 60V DC is the limit of very low voltage in ECE R100 standard. There is also a 30V AC limit for such applications.
Everything above will need special safety protections that has a significant cost.
All the OEMs are now looking for this kind of applications (48V) that brings significant fuel savings (between 10 to 15%) at much more lower price than High Voltage.
In China, this is clearly the main stream...
Posted by: Dany | 20 April 2016 at 05:53 AM