Horse Powertrain is evaluating multiple pathways to establish a local industrial presence in India as part of its strategy to expand in markets with sustained demand for hybrid and combustion powertrain technologies. The company views India as a key strategic growth market, both for domestic supply and for longer-term development and export opportunities.
The company is positioning hybrid technologies at the centre of its powertrain strategy for India, with strong hybrids, plug-in hybrids and range-extender systems forming the core of its commercial focus. The company is pursuing a multi-fuel approach that includes hybrids, flex-fuel technologies, efficient internal combustion engines and range extenders, rather than relying solely on battery electric vehicles.
“At Horse Powertrain, we aim to provide practical, affordable solutions to the Indian market, all while reducing the emissions footprint of the nation’s hybrid and combustion vehicles,” said Matias Giannini, Chief Executive Officer of Horse Powertrain. “India is a strategically vital market for us, both in terms of its scale and in the role it will play in shaping global mobility trends.”
Caroline Méchaï, Head of Sales and Business Development at Horse Powertrain said that the company is assessing several entry and expansion models for India, including localisation through existing partners, co-development programmes with Indian original equipment manufacturers, and the potential establishment of local manufacturing operations over time. The company is also evaluating India’s role as a development and industrialisation base, supported by local cost-engineering capabilities and the growing trend among vehicle manufacturers to outsource powertrain development.
India’s relevance to Horse Powertrain extends beyond market size. The company sees the country as aligning with three of its long-term priorities: continued demand for combustion and hybrid powertrains, competitive engineering and manufacturing capabilities, and opportunities to scale with customers seeking external powertrain solutions. Horse already supplies engines to Renault Group’s operations in Chennai and is now seeking to build a broader and more defined presence under the Horse Powertrain brand.
The company showcased these technologies at ACMA Automechanika New Delhi. As part of its engagement with the Indian market, Horse Powertrain is presenting a range of powertrain systems designed for integration into existing vehicle platforms and compliance with Bharat Stage 7 (BS7) emission norms and Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations. These include the HORSE H12 1.2-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine for mild hybrid applications, the HORSE B15 1.5-litre turbocharged engine paired with the DHT160 hybrid transmission, the HORSE M20 2.0-litre engine for combustion and range-extender use, the HORSE 4DHT120 hybrid transmission, and the HORSE C15 compact engine-generator unit for range-extended electric vehicles.
Horse Powertrain is an independent global supplier of hybrid and combustion powertrain systems formed around two-and-a-half years ago following the carve-out of powertrain operations from Renault Group and Geely Holding Group, with Saudi Aramco holding a 10 percent stake. The company operates 17 manufacturing plants and five research and development centres globally, employs around 90,000 people, supplies close to 8 million powertrain units annually, and reports annual revenue of about EUR 15 billion.
