Horse Powertrain's Strategic Alliances: A Blueprint for Supply Chain Resilience and Global EV Expansion

In an era where the automotive industry grapples with the dual pressures of electrification and supply chain volatility, Horse Powertrain-born from the Renault-Geely joint venture and bolstered by Saudi Aramco's 10% equity stake-has emerged as a pivotal player. Its strategic alliances with Chinese automakers Leapmotor, Chery, and JAC are not merely partnerships but calculated moves to diversify supply chains, accelerate technology sharing, and secure footholds in global EV markets. These collaborations underscore a broader industry shift toward hybridization and localized production, positioning Horse Powertrain at the intersection of traditional ICE expertise and next-generation mobility solutions.

Leapmotor: Bridging EV Expertise and Global Distribution

Leapmotor, a rising star in China's EV sector, has partnered with Horse Powertrain to develop plug-in hybrid models, aligning with its 2027 roadmap to expand its lineup to 15 vehicles. This collaboration is amplified by Leapmotor's alliance with Stellantis, which invested €1.5 billion for a 21% stake and co-founded Leapmotor International to manage overseas sales, according to a Natixis analysis. By leveraging Stellantis' European infrastructure, Leapmotor has already established 600 sales locations across the continent, with plans to scale to 700 by 2025, MoparInsiders reports. For Horse Powertrain, this partnership ensures access to Leapmotor's advanced Four-Leaf Clover EEA architecture, which integrates cross-domain computing for enhanced vehicle intelligence-a critical asset for hybrid systems, as covered by New Atlas.

Leapmotor's role extends beyond technology. Its battery swap agreements with Nio and JAC, aimed at creating interoperable networks in China and Anhui Province, could serve as a template for global deployment. As reported by Reuters, these initiatives reflect a strategic pivot toward scalable infrastructure, reducing costs for automakers and consumers alike.

Chery: Export Prowess and Intelligent EV Platforms

Chery, a leader in Chinese automotive exports, brings its "Stellar 2025" strategy to the table, emphasizing intelligent EV platforms and hybrid technologies like its 3rd-generation C-DM system, according to MarkLines. Its collaboration with Horse Powertrain focuses on hybrid powertrains tailored for price-sensitive markets, where affordability remains a barrier to EV adoption. Chery's partnership with iFlytek to enhance multilingual voice systems in models like the Star Era ET further illustrates its commitment to global accessibility, as noted by EdAutoGroup.

By integrating with HORSE Powertrain's 17 global plants and five R&D centers, Chery gains access to advanced ICE and hybrid technologies, enabling it to balance its EV ambitions with the realities of markets still reliant on combustion engines. This synergy is critical in regions like Latin America and Southeast Asia, where hybridization offers a pragmatic transition path.

JAC: Manufacturing Scalability and Battery Innovation

Jianghuai Automobile (JAC) complements Horse Powertrain's strategy with its robust manufacturing capabilities and focus on battery innovation. CarNewsChina reports that JAC's collaboration with Nio on battery swap standards and service networks-now extended to Chery-positions it as a key player in infrastructure development. This is particularly relevant for Horse Powertrain's Future Hybrid System, which integrates engines, motors, and transmissions into a single unit, supporting multiple fuel types including synthetic and biofuels, as described by Auto Tech News.

JAC's role in producing vehicles for global markets is underscored by its history of manufacturing Nio models and its recent focus on battery-swappable platforms. By aligning with Horse Powertrain, JAC gains access to cutting-edge hybrid technologies, while Horse Powertrain benefits from JAC's low-cost production expertise-a critical advantage in markets like India and Southeast Asia, according to a HORSE news release.

Technology Sharing and Regional Strategies

The alliances collectively address supply chain bottlenecks through localized production and shared R&D. For instance, Leapmotor's potential manufacturing in Poland and Slovakia, facilitated by Stellantis, mitigates trade restrictions and reduces lead times for European markets, as noted by Motor Illustrated. Similarly, Chery's hybrid platforms are tailored for emerging economies, where ICE and hybrid vehicles will coexist with BEVs for years.

Horse Powertrain's Future Hybrid Concept, which transforms BEVs into hybrids with minimal platform modifications, exemplifies this technology-neutral approach. As Bain notes, such flexibility is essential for automakers navigating divergent regional regulations and consumer preferences.

Conclusion: A Model for the Post-Electrification Era

Horse Powertrain's alliances with Leapmotor, Chery, and JAC are more than strategic-they are a blueprint for the future of mobility. By combining Chinese automakers' agility with European and Middle Eastern expertise in ICE and alternative fuels, the company is redefining supply chain resilience. For investors, this ecosystem represents a compelling opportunity: a hybrid-focused supplier poised to capitalize on the global energy transition while navigating the complexities of electrification.