Marelli and PUNCH create a joint venture to develop e-axles for electric vehicles

Marelli and PUNCH Motive International join forces to develop and manufacture electric vehicle e-axles. We’ve been in touch with PUNCH already (here’s an interview with PUNCH Torino’s CEO Pierpaolo Antonioli), while Marelli is a very well-established supplier in the automotive sector. According to the statement release by the two companies, «the joint venture accelerates Marelli’s shift toward electrification through the development and assembly of integrated e-axles for electric vehicles», while the partnership «advances PUNCH’s long-term e-mobility strategy toward clean hydrogen energy».

Marelli Electric Powertrain Strasbourg, with HQ at PUNCH site

Indeed, Marelli will own the majority of the joint venture, which will be focused on a system approach for optimized integrated e-axle solutions. «The company will develop and assemble e-axle systems and be targeted specifically toward the markets in Europe and the Americas. The new enterprise, Marelli Electric Powertrain Strasbourg (France) SAS, will be headquartered at PUNCH’s site in Strasbourg, France, in proximity to major European vehicle makers. The joint venture will have a facility for production, prototyping and testing on-site».

Marelli will supply electric motors and inverters including software for the e-axles, while PUNCH will contribute gearbox components and development as well as manufacturing expertise.

The words spoken by top managers 

«PUNCH’s and Marelli’s strengths in the field of electric powertrains are a great match. The joint venture is an important milestone in Marelli’s e-mobility growth strategy», said Hannes Prenn, Executive Vice President and CEO of Marelli’s Electric Powertrain business. «With this cooperation, we further expand our unique offering as a full system provider for electric powertrains which is complemented by our thermal and battery management solutions».

«PUNCH wants to be a major player for reducers as part of complete e-axles, representing one of the key components for electric mobility. The partnership with Marelli is an enabler for us to accelerate and execute our long-term strategy from fossil to electric and ultimately clean hydrogen powertrain systems», said Guido Dumarey, founder and CEO of PUNCH.