Dive Brief:
- Automotive supplier BorgWarner named Joseph Fadool its new executive vice president and chief operating officer, effective July 1, according to a May 30 press release.
- BorgWarner is also reshuffling its corporate business structure in order to “increase efficiency through cross-functional collaboration and additional cost controls.”
- "Joe is uniquely positioned to take on the role of Chief Operating Officer given his deep familiarity with our organization and understanding of the development and commercialization of our technologies,” said BorgWarner president and CEO Frédéric Lissalde, in the press release.
Dive Insight:
As the auto industry transitions to electrification and more vehicle mechanical systems are being replaced with electronics, Auburn Hills, Michigan-based BorgWarner aims to remain a major supplier to global automotive OEMs by expanding its product offerings to include more components for electric and hybrid vehicles.
The company named a new COO and announced the restructuring of its business units as it executes its “Charging Forward” strategy, which aims for electrified vehicle parts and components to account for 35% of the company’s revenue by 2025.
The business structure changes include new appointments, effective July 1, as follows:
- Emissions, Thermal and Turbo Systems will be led by Dr. Volker Weng.
- Drivetrain and Morse Systems will be led by Isabelle McKenzie.
- PowerDrive Systems will be led by Dr. Stefan Demmerle.
- Battery and Charging Systems will be led by Henk Vanthournout.
As part of the updated business structure, BorgWarner will also align financial reporting segments with the new units beginning July 1.
BorgWarner announced other key executive appointments in March, naming Amy Kulikowski vice president and chief accounting officer, effective March 1. She reports directly to Craig Aaron, who was named the company’s new chief financial officer, also effective March 1.
First announced in 2021, the company’s “Charging Forward” strategy includes growing revenue from EVs to approximately 45% of total revenue by 2030 and accelerating the company’s electrification strategy and investments. BorgWarner already announced two major supply deals this year in China, the world’s biggest market for EVs.
In February, BorgWarner signed an eight-year international manufacturing and intellectual property deal with FinDreams Battery, a subsidiary of China-based electric vehicle maker BYD. As part of the deal, FinDreams Battery will supply BorgWarner with blade cells for manufacturing lithium iron phosphate battery packs in Europe, the Americas and selected Asia-Pacific regions. BorgWarner will also secure an intellectual property license to use FinDreams’ battery pack design and manufacturing process.
In early May, the supplier announced a deal to supply two high-voltage hairpin electric vehicle motors for use in two upcoming electric SUV models from China-based EV manufacturer Xpeng. BorgWarner’s is supplying its advanced oil-cooled 800V eMotor systems that will be customized for the two SUVs. Start of production is planned for 2025.
BorgWarner also announced in May it will supply an electric Torque Vectoring and Disconnect (eTVD) system to EV brand Polestar and another major OEM in Europe that was not named.
