Automotive supplier Continental has signed a contract with the Swiss high-tech industrial Group Oerlikon for the joint development and marketing of integrated motor and transmission systems for hybrid and electric vehicles.
With the agreement, both the companies aim to improve the efficiency of electrified powertrains through integrated enhancement of both the electric motor and the transmission, which includes improvement of both the mechanical and the electrical paths.
Continental Powertrain Division Berlin Hybrid Electric Vehicle Business Unit Research and Development head Ralf Schmid said, "Electric drive is a field where integrated system-level optimization is the only way to offer significantly improved customer benefits."
As part of the deal, Oerlikon will contribute its knowledge of development, production and design of high-performance transmissions, while Continental's Powertrain Division will offer its knowledge of conventional, hybrid and all-electric passenger car powertrains.
The companies will jointly follow an integrated systems-based approach to offer improved customer benefits that are expected to reduce in system costs and weight of the vehicles.
Additionally, Continental expects that the collaboration with Oerlikon will add mechanical transmission systems to its existing portfolio of modules for electric powertrains, electric motor, power electronics systems and the battery.
