American Axle & Manufacturing will supply its e-AAM™ hybrid driveline technology to China’s Qoros Auto Co. Ltd., which will install the systems on a future model to be manufactured in China for the Chinese and European auto markets. The value and schedule of the contract were not announced.
Qoros is a joint venture of China’s Chery Automobile Co., Ltd. and Israel Corporation, headquartered in Shanghai. At the Geneva International Motor Show 2013 earlier this year, Qoros unveiled its first production model, the Qoros 3 sedan.
The Qoros 3 will be introduced in China this fall, available either with a naturally aspirated or turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, and either a manual gearbox or a dual-clutch transmission. European market roll out would begin in 2014.
Qoros also previewed two concept cars, the Qoros 3 Cross Hybrid, a compact hatchback version of the sedan that will incorporate an advanced hybrid drivetrain; and the Qoros 3 Estate, a four-door hatchback with an extended cargo area.
American Axle (AAM) designs and manufactures driveline and drivetrain systems for light trucks, SUVs, passenger cars and crossover vehicles, as well as commercial vehicles. It also produces driveline/drivetrain components and modules, chassis systems, and other formed products. has other plants in Brazil, China, Germany, India, Japan, Luxembourg, Mexico, Poland, South Korea, Sweden, and Thailand.
AAM’s domestic manufacturing plants are in Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.
The e-AAM™ hybrid and electric driveline systems originated with a joint venture of American Axle and Saab Automobile AB in 2010. The aim was to use the partners’ existing technologies and operations to supply a full-service capability for electric all-wheel drive systems that would be integrated into existing platforms.
AAM acquired full ownership of the venture in 2012, following the demise of Saab.
AAM said the e-AAM package it is supplying to Qoros consists of “an electric drive unit, power box unit with an electric drive control module, and a proprietary control strategy and software designed for traction and hybrid controls functionality.”
It added that the electric/hybrid technology would provide Qoros cost-efficiency with “market leading power density,” modularity, and controls and software designed to provide better fuel efficiency, reduced CO2 emissions and improved safety, ride and handling for drivers.
"We are extremely pleased to initiate a partnership with Qoros," stated AAM president and CEO David C. Dauch. "Our investment in driveline systems for hybrid and electric vehicles has allowed us to develop an innovative patent-protected product portfolio, enabling AAM to play a leading role in this important new driveline product segment."
