Marelli, a leading global automotive supplier, and PUNCH, a supplier for the development, integration and manufacturing of driveline and powertrain solutions, have reached an agreement to form a joint venture focused on e-axle solutions. Both companies combine their extensive expertise in the area of electric powertrains to offer integrated systems for electric vehicles.   

The joint venture – which is to be majority owned by Marelli – 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. 

E-axles are a key system of electric vehicles. While Marelli will supply electric motors and inverters including software for the e-axles, PUNCH will contribute gearbox components and development as well as manufacturing expertise.  

“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 PUNCH.