ZF and China’s Wolong Electric to set up JV for electric motors and components

ZF Friedrichshafen and China’s Wolong Electric Group are stepping up their existing cooperation. The two companies are to set up a joint venture to manufacture components and electric motors for automotive applications. The JV will enhance the ZF product portfolio and further improve competitiveness in electric driveline systems. 

“The partnership with Wolong, a key player of electric motors and components in the Chinese market, is a great next step in further strengthening our electric mobility strategy. With the joint venture we extend our value chain for electric motors to include sub-components and it gives us even better access to customers and suppliers in China,“ says Jörg Grotendorst, Head of ZF’s E-Mobility Division.

The joint venture, called Wolong ZF Automotive E‑Motors Co, will manufacture electric motors and components for use in ZF driveline systems and the open market. The JV has already been awarded a major series production contract for electric motor components for hybrid and electric drives. Electrified drivelines contribute significantly to reduce CO2 emissions from road traffic.

The joint venture headquartered in Shangyu, Zhejiang Province, China, will provide optimal access to the Chinese market, leverage joint purchasing potential and focus on future business. By 2025, the company is expected to employ up to 2,000 staff.

L-R: Dr Holger Klein, Member of Board of Management, ZF and Chen Jiancheng, Chairman of Wolong Electric.

Dr. Holger Klein, Member of the ZF Board of Management, said: “Agreement to deepen our partnership with a Chinese company and establish a new joint venture to dedicate in the production contract for electric motors, is one of our solid steps in realising our commitment to invest in China, and our determination to make ZF a significant contributor in the electrification and sustainable mobility in this market. By having a joint venture with a successful Chinese company, we are transforming our company towards a more agile organisation, to serve the local market from the region without time delay in decision making process.“

"We are certain that new energy vehicles will take a very large share in the future market, and this will bring unprecedented development opportunities for both of us. The joint venture company with ZF will be the first step, aiming to provide motors and their components for ZF and the general market. We hope that this joint venture will become a global leader in new energy automotive motors,” says Jian Cheng Chen, chairman of Wolong Electric.

Since January 2016, ZF has bundled its electromobility activities in the E-Mobility Division headquartered in Schweinfurt, Germany. More than 9,000 employees work in this division, spread across various locations around the world.