Auto parts supplier Benteler, Bosch and auto brand Automobili Pininfarina have jointly developed a high-performance electric luxury vehicle platform. The new platform jointly developed by the three companies has been officially unveiled at the 2019 Frankfurt International Auto Show. Automobili Pininfarina's first luxury SUV will be produced based on the new platform.
The cost of electric vehicle architecture is generally around 1 billion euros (about 7.8 billion yuan). Michael Pershke, head of Automobili Pininfarina, said that at this stage, almost no car company can independently support this investment. Together with Bosch and Benteler, establish a set of "industry standards" and launch a third-party platform for the luxury car market segment. It is expected that the new platform will achieve industrial production in 2020.
The three companies collaborated to develop a new platform and make it available to other companies, a move similar to the public sharing of its MEB platform. At present, Ford has agreed to cooperate with Volkswagen to develop multiple models based on the MEB platform. Pershke said that even without other car companies joining, the company can mass-produce new models, but no other car companies share the cost of research and development of the new architecture, which will eventually lead to higher vehicle prices.
In April 2019, Benteler and Bosch started cooperation to develop integrated technologies that combine electric drive systems as the basis for pure electric vehicles. Benteler is responsible for the product and system requirements for electric drive systems. Bosch provides electrical and electronic components and subsystems (such as vehicle control units, electronic drives, electronic power steering and braking systems), as well as software, system integration, and other service.
Previously, Benteler also signed a contract with Evergrande Group, and Evergrande will develop a chassis architecture based on Benteler's electric drive system and apply it to planned electric vehicles. In cooperation with the Evergrande Group, Benteler will also introduce highly differentiated engineering design experience and electric vehicle expertise.
Automobili Pininfarina is a new company in Germany founded by Mahindra Group of India, which also has an independent Pininfarina design center.