DeepDrive to Supply Radial Flux Motors to a Global Automaker
The Munich-based developer has also established a dedicated team in Shanghai to support its first presence in China.
Munich-based electric motor developer DeepDrive has secured a nomination as a large-series supplier for an unnamed global vehicle manufacturer, with production scheduled to begin in 2028. The company is simultaneously expanding its international footprint by establishing a dedicated team in Shanghai.
What Happened
DeepDrive confirmed it has won a nomination to supply radial flux motors to a major, though unnamed, global automaker. The motors are expected to enter series production in 2028. The company stated that its dual-rotor, radial flux motor design has been validated for three specific applications: generator, in-wheel drive, and central drive. This architecture, which encloses the stator between an inner and an outer rotor, is claimed by DeepDrive to offer the highest torque density at the lowest weight and cost among available motor architectures. To meet the demands of this new customer and others worldwide, DeepDrive is currently scaling its high-volume production facilities.
Why It Matters
The nomination represents a significant milestone for DeepDrive, moving its technology from validation to industrial-scale manufacturing. Peter Hochholdinger, an advisor to DeepDrive and former Head of Production at Tesla and Lucid, noted that bridging the gap between a validated technology and high-volume production is where many deep-tech companies fail. He emphasized that DeepDrive’s readiness is evidenced by its organization and technology stack, which are prepared for high-volume manufacturing with professionalism and rigor. The expansion into China, marked by the establishment of a Shanghai-based team embedded within DeepDrive’s global engineering and manufacturing organization, signals the company’s intent to capture market share in the world’s largest EV sector. Felix Poernbacher, CEO and co-founder of DeepDrive, described the nomination as the first step toward building the global standard electric drive for automotive and beyond, with the China expansion as the next logical step.
The Bottom Line
DeepDrive has secured a major supply contract with an unnamed global automaker for radial flux motors, set for production start in 2028, while concurrently launching operations in China to support global expansion.
