DeepDrive has secured a mass-production order for electric drives starting in 2028
DeepDrive has received a nomination as a mass-producer supplier for a global automaker. Series production is scheduled to begin in 2028, while the Munich-based company is also expanding into China.
For the Chinese market, DeepDrive plans to establish its own team in Shanghai.
Image: DeepDrive
This nomination marks DeepDrive’s transition from technology development to mass production. However, the company has not yet revealed which automaker issued the order or for which model or platform the drive is intended. DeepDrive also provides no further details regarding the planned production volume.
The technological foundation is the Dual-Rotor Radial Flow architecture developed by DeepDrive. In this design, the stator is located between an inner and an outer rotor. According to the company, this structure combines high torque density with low weight and reduced costs. DeepDrive has developed this technology for three applications: as a generator, as a hub motor, and as a central drive. Validation of this technology has already been completed. With the goal of starting mass production in 2028, the company is now expanding its manufacturing capacity to handle high volumes.
"Creating a global standard electric drive for the automotive industry and beyond has been our goal from day one," says Felix Poernbacher, CEO and co-founder of DeepDrive. The recent nomination is a first step toward achieving this goal.
Meanwhile, DeepDrive will begin its international expansion. China will be the first market targeted. A dedicated team will be established in Shanghai to handle sales and project implementation for the Chinese market. This unit is set to be integrated into the company’s global development and manufacturing organization.
DeepDrive Establishes Presence in Shanghai
According to DeepDrive, it adopts a “local for local” approach. This means production will be established in the markets where customers are located. The company has not yet provided specific details regarding production locations or capacity in China.
Poernbacher describes China as one of the most dynamic automobile markets in the world and a logical starting point for international expansion. DeepDrive claims to already have vehicle manufacturers in Europe, the US, and China as its clients.
The company, founded in 2021 with its headquarters in Munich, develops and produces electric motors for the automotive industry and other applications. Its investors include Leitmotif with Volkswagen as the anchor investor, BMW i Ventures, Aumovio’s Capital Venture Unit, UVC Partners, and Bayern Kapital.
Among the company’s strategic advisors is also Peter Hochholdinger, who previously held production leadership roles at Tesla and Lucid. He emphasizes the challenge of transitioning a new engine architecture from validation to reliable mass production. That is precisely what DeepDrive is focusing its organization and manufacturing on at present.
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