BorgWarner to Supply eMotor to Major North American OEM
Rhea-AI Summary
BorgWarner (BWA) has secured a contract with a major North American OEM to supply its 400V SW130 S-wind eMotor for hybrid full-sized trucks and SUVs. The production is set to begin in Q2 2028. The S-wind technology serves as an alternator replacement in high-voltage architecture, featuring a continuous, rectangular formed winding design that delivers peak performance and enhanced power efficiency in a compact package.
The eMotor's innovative design includes a 130mm stator diameter with a 65mm stack length, optimizing peak torque while improving noise, vibration, and harshness. Compared to hairpin motors, the S-wind technology reduces welding points by over 90% and enables better material utilization through radial wire insertion, resulting in increased scalability, design flexibility, and lower costs.
Positive
- Contract win with major North American OEM for hybrid vehicles
- S-wind technology reduces welding points by over 90% compared to hairpin motors
- Design enables better material utilization and lower production costs
- Technology offers increased scalability and design flexibility
Negative
- Production start not until Q2 2028, indicating a long wait for revenue generation
- Limited to hybrid vehicles, not fully electric applications
Insights
BorgWarner's new eMotor contract for hybrid trucks represents strategic growth in vehicle electrification, with innovative technology offering manufacturing advantages.
The contract to supply 400V SW130 eMotors to a major North American OEM represents significant validation for BorgWarner's electrification strategy. The application in hybrid full-sized trucks and SUVs is particularly noteworthy as these high-volume, high-margin vehicle segments are crucial in the North American market. While production begins in Q2 2028, the engineering collaboration is already underway, suggesting near-term developmental revenue before full production.
This win demonstrates BorgWarner's successful transition from traditional powertrain components to electrified solutions, directly addressing a critical strategic need as the industry evolves. The specific mention of "high-volume" S-wind technology suggests this contract could represent substantial long-term revenue. The timing aligns with the industry's gradual electrification of trucks and SUVs, which typically lags behind passenger cars due to more demanding performance requirements and consumer expectations.
The contract's strategic importance extends beyond immediate financial impact - it positions BorgWarner in the hybrid truck segment just as emissions regulations and consumer preferences are driving increasing electrification in these traditionally ICE-dominant vehicle categories.
BorgWarner's S-wind eMotor technology delivers manufacturing efficiency with 90% fewer welding points while improving power density for hybrid applications.
The S-wind technology at the heart of this contract offers meaningful advantages over conventional hairpin motor designs. The continuous, rectangular formed winding achieves higher power density while simultaneously improving packaging – a crucial combination for hybrid trucks where space constraints and performance requirements are especially challenging.
From a manufacturing perspective, the 90% reduction in welding points represents a significant advancement. Welding is a common failure point in motor production and typically requires extensive quality control measures. This reduction likely translates to improved reliability, higher manufacturing yield rates, and lower production costs.
The motor's specific dimensions (130mm stator diameter with 65mm stack length) indicate a compact design optimized for integration as an alternator replacement in hybrid architectures. The focus on NVH (noise, vibration, harshness) improvements aligns perfectly with consumer expectations in premium truck segments, where cabin quietness is increasingly important.
The motor's design using radial wire insertion and improved material utilization represents a meaningful advancement in manufacturing efficiency, likely contributing to better cost management in an increasingly competitive e-motor market.
- S-wind technology to be used in hybrid full-sized trucks, SUVs
- Enables peak performance with enhanced efficiency in a compact package
- PACE-awarded S-wind technology increases scalability and reduces costs
"BorgWarner has been closely collaborating with this OEM, providing continuous, valuable feedback to develop an S-wind eMotor solution that meets specific application requirements," said Dr. Stefan Demmerle, President and General Manager of BorgWarner PowerDrive Systems. "This business agreement is a direct reflection of our engineering team's technical expertise, from writing specifications for design with packaging constraints to manufacturing to implementation. We are looking forward to deepening our relationship with this highly reputable OEM."
BorgWarner's SW130 eMotor utilizes S-wind technology as an alternator replacement in a high-voltage architecture, featuring a continuous, rectangular formed winding design that enables peak performance and enhanced power efficiency within a compact space. In contrast to hairpin motors, the compressed design of the S-wind technology applies radial wire insertion, makes better use of materials and reduces welding points by more than
The power dense S-winding motor technology is designed for hybrid applications. It boasts a 130mm stator diameter with a 65mm stack length, optimizing peak torque while improving noise, vibration and harshness.
About BorgWarner
For more than 130 years, BorgWarner has been a transformative global product leader bringing successful mobility innovation to market. With a focus on sustainability, we're helping to build a cleaner, healthier, safer future for all.
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SOURCE BorgWarner
FAQ
What is the new contract BorgWarner (BWA) won for its eMotor technology?
What are the key advantages of BorgWarner's S-wind eMotor technology?
What are the technical specifications of BorgWarner's SW130 eMotor?
When will BorgWarner begin production of the S-wind eMotor for the North American OEM?
