American Axle & Manufacturing struck a deal with electric-vehicle technology specialist REE Automotive, aiming to develop a new electric propulsion system. The financial and other terms of their agreement were not announced.
According to AAM chairman and CEO David C. Dauch, “This agreement to provide electric drive technology for use in REEcorners is an important step in growing AAM’s electric propulsion business and expanding the addressable market for AAM’s newest product offerings.”
Tel Aviv-based REE Automotive is a developer of electric drive systems, and is in the process of becoming a public company by way of a merger with a private-equity firm backed by 10X Capital Venture Acquisition Corp.
American Axle designs and manufactures automotive driveline components and systems, including electric drivelines for hybrid and electric vehicles.
In its release, AAM reported that the new electric drive units will be developed at its own Advanced Technology and Development Center in Detroit, and prototypes are scheduled to be presented late this year.
The goal of their project is a new system that will reduce “noise, vibration, and harshness” (NVH) and incorporate AAM’s lightweight electric drive units - including fully integrated high-speed motors and inverter technology with the REEcorner™ technology, which combines multiple drive components (steering, braking, suspension, powertrain and control) into the space between a vehicle wheel and chassis.
This compact arrangement achieves functional and economic advantages, and according to American Axle it makes possible a flat EV chassis for multiple commercial vehicle applications.
