Gasgoo Munich- On March 9, Schaeffler began mass production of a new hybrid transmission system at its manufacturing base in Taicang, Jiangsu province, according to a post on the company's WeChat account.
Image source: Schaeffler
The dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT) family will be supplied to plug-in hybrid (PHEV) and conventional hybrid (HEV) models produced by major international automakers. The systems are intended primarily for vehicles sold in China and Europe, marking another step in Schaeffler's effort to strengthen its global portfolio for electrified powertrains.
The newly launched transmission has been engineered on a shared platform capable of supporting both PHEV and HEV applications, allowing the product to serve varying regulatory and consumer demands across global markets. Drawing on Schaeffler's long-standing expertise in hybrid systems, the drivetrain has been optimized to improve overall efficiency by enabling the internal combustion engine to operate more frequently within its most efficient range. The design is intended to enhance fuel economy while accommodating a wide spectrum of driving scenarios, from daily urban commuting to long-distance highway travel.
Development of the new transmission combined Schaeffler's global engineering resources with local R&D capabilities in China. The Chinese engineering team led the development and implementation of the electric control and motor systems, helping improve both power performance and operational efficiency. From initial design to validation for mass production, the entire process took just over a year, reflecting the responsiveness and growing technical capabilities of the company's local innovation network.
Schaeffler's Taicang facility—one of the company's key manufacturing hubs in China—provides the production foundation for the localized manufacturing of the DHT system. The transmission is now produced domestically with a localized supply chain, allowing components sourced in China to support global vehicle programs. Going forward, the product family will continue to be supplied to international markets, highlighting the role of Chinese manufacturing capabilities in supporting the global hybrid vehicle sector.
Schaeffler also revealed that development of the next generation of its hybrid transmission technology is already underway. The upcoming systems will focus on improving efficiency, simplifying structural design, and reducing costs. Future versions are expected to feature more compact and lightweight architectures capable of supporting multiple powertrain configurations—including HEV, PHEV, and range-extended electric vehicle (REEV) platforms—as the hybrid vehicle market continues to evolve.
