The automotive industry is undergoing a profound transformation. While many manufacturers focus on battery-electric vehicles, a significant share of the market will continue to rely on alternative powertrains for years to come. Horse Powertrain, a young and globally oriented company, positions itself as a specialist for innovative hybrid and multi-fuel solutions. In this interview with xBN, CEO Matias Giannini explains how his company bridges the gap between current demands and the vision of climate-neutral mobility—and why the industry needs a partner like Horse right now.
Mr. Giannini, you are the CEO of a very young company whose founding in 2024 you played a key role in. How did Horse Powertrain come about? What international developments convinced you and your investors that the (automotive) world needed a supplier like Horse?
Horse Powertrain was created based on the fundamental belief that there are many paths to Net Zero, but that this transition can only be accomplished with technological advancements and strong collaboration.
If we look at the market in 2040, at least 50% of the vehicles produced, won’t be fully electric. While the whole industry pours billions of euros in investment and efforts to accelerate the EV transition to hopefully achieve that 50%, we must ask the question: Who is taking responsibility for the other half? Who will ensure that the other 50% of vehicles (which will represent over 1 billion vehicles on the roads by 2040) will continue to evolve and become more and more efficient, further accelerating the industry’s transition to Net Zero?
That’s where Horse Powertrain comes in. We recognised an opportunity to become a specialist partner – to handle the parts of the powertrain equation that others don’t have the time or capacity to focus on. We offer tailored solutions that address specific pain points.
Our founders had this vision, and it’s based on this that Horse Powertrain was established. No other company exists in the passenger vehicle space with this mission.
https://freelanceeventsphotographer.co.uk/
The world needs multiple energy solutions so that we can ensure that the transition to net zero truly happens everywhere and for everyone.
To what extent can Horse revolutionize global automobile production?
A common question that I always like to ask: Can’t the OEMs do it themselves? Can’t they simply continue to invest in ICE and xHEV engines and transmissions?
Yes, they can. We know this because they’ve done it for decades. The real question is: Would this be the most efficient way to do it? And is this what our industry needs at this time?
The world needs multiple energy solutions so that we can ensure that the transition to net zero truly happens everywhere and for everyone. Battery electric vehicles (BEVs) are one of the main paths towards net zero, but they are also only effective where there is appropriate infrastructure to support them, where customer acceptance and affordability are high and where the energy powering those batteries is clean.
Everywhere else, different solutions will still be needed for a long time. Very efficient HEVs and PHEVs, range extenders for passenger vehicles as well for LCVs, engines powered with alternative cleaner fuels, like the example of ethanol in Brazil or methanol in China. The world needs multiple and complex solutions.
So back to the question: can OEMs realistically continue to invest in and develop all of these different solutions across various regions of the world, while also advancing their EV architectures and battery technologies- all while seeing the volumes on ICE going down? I doubt it.
This is where Horse Powertrain can and will be a game changer. We consolidate the demands and offer solutions to close the gaps of each OEM, where they need it. We already cover 80% of total market needs. We are present in all three regions around the world with local manufacturing and R&D capabilities. And we continue to invest in the latest and greatest technologies when most OEMs have stopped.
By partnering with us, OEMs can focus on their EV strategies, reduce their investment requirements, and concentrate efforts on areas where they can create value – such as Software Defined Vehicle features, Autonomous Driving, AI. They can then delegate the development of ICE and HEV solutions to us. Just like our parent companies envisioned when they created Horse.
This is why I am convinced that we can revolutionise the global automobile production, not only through technology but also through collaboration. Our business model is the key to our industries’ success.
At the Motor Symposium in Vienna, you said that there are already seven well-known manufacturers that are interested in your compatible electric and multi-fuel platforms or are already customers. Group-affiliated brands such as Renault and Volvo, but also Mercedes-Benz, are obvious candidates. Are there any other brands you can name?
I don’t recall naming seven specifically, but yes, I am very excited to say that we are having very constructive dialogues with nearly all major brands you can think of. Some are at more advanced stages than others.
Once the OEMs understand that we are not here to compete with them, but rather to understand where they have gaps in their portfolio, or any needs of restructuring, they then become confident that they can partner with Horse to support their needs, avoiding major unnecessary investments, while retaining control over the other parts of the business. This makes Horse a very attractive partner.
We are very flexible. We are fully independent with very strict governance rules that will protect our customers’ IP, from others, as with any major global Tier 1 supplier. We have full-fledged global operations and capabilities to support the complete xHEV powertrain system, from the engine to the transmission and all associated electronics components needed (inverters, on-board chargers, battery management systems, eMotors, etc). We are a very attractive partner to help our OEMs in their transition and happy to support. Unfortunately, I can’t name the companies we are working with beyond what’s been made already public, but hopefully there will be more announcements coming soon.
You worked in the USA for a long time. – Do you already have customers in the USA?
The USA is a strategic and key market for Horse Powertrain. Our solutions and business model, fit the market perfectly, especially when you consider the specific challenges of slowing EV adoption in the USA, and the growing need for hybrid solutions.
Regarding the customer question, yes, I am in good discussions with OEMs present in that region and hope to continue to progress in that direction. The US OEMs can be very strong strategic partners for us, not only for the US market, but to support them in their own global expansion.
Horse’s owners are known to be based in China, Europe, and Saudi Arabia. To what extent are current geopolitical developments – especially US tariff policy – affecting Horse Powertrain’s business performance?
We currently operate 17 manufacturing plants and five R&D centres. As a global company, our footprint helps us maintain operational stability, even in the face of recent disruption.
Our production facilities are strategically located in key regions, including:
Europe:
- Spain: Valladolid, Sevilla
- Portugal: Aveiro,
- Romania: Pitești,
- Sweden: Skövde
- Turkey: Bursa
South America:
- Chile: Los Andes
- Argentina: Córdoba
- Brazil: Curitiba
Asia:
- China: Zhangjiakou, Baoji, Changxing, Chunxiao, Taizhou, Yiwu, Guiyang
Do you already have plans for which components you will next offer to the global automotive industry?
Our focus and mission are to develop the latest and greatest technologies, to power the future with highly efficient hybrid solutions, offering alternative paths to accelerate the transition to net zero. With that in mind, you can expect that we will continue to come up with innovations to enable this mission.
A recent example is our Future Hybrid Concept, unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show a few weeks ago. A unique, unprecedented concept, that combines engine, transmission, e-motor and power-electronics, into one compact, highly integrated unit, that is designed to fit into BEV vehicles with no major modifications, offering OEMs the flexibility they’ve all been looking for, to design and build their future vehicles under one unique architecture and with that maximise their return on investment, without the fear of unrealised returns due to unpredictable EV adoption. This is true revolution, not just evolution. And there’s much more coming.
Thank you very much for the interview, Mister Giannini!
The interview was conducted by Xenia Bauer-Neuhaus.
