Punch Powertrain

Punch Powertrain is a Belgian manufacturer of automotive powertrain systems based in Sint-Truiden. It produces transmissions and propulsion systems for passenger cars and commercial vehicles including continuously variable transmissions, dual-clutch transmissions and hybrid and electric powertrains systems. Founded in 1972 as a transmission manufacturing facility for the Dutch automaker DAF, the company operated under several owners before adopting its current name in 2006. It was acquired by the Chinese conglomerate Yinyi Group in 2016.

Origins

The plant in Sint-Truiden began operation in 1972 as a transmission facility of DAF, producing continuously variable transmissions based on DAF's Variomatic design. It was later integrated into Volvo's operations and subsequently acquired by German transmission manufacturer ZF. In 2006, the Belgian industrial holding Punch International, controlled by entrepreneur Guido Dumarey, acquired the plant and renamed it Punch Powertrain.

Acquisition by Yinyi

In 2016, Ningbo-based Chinese conglomerate Yinyi Group acquired full ownership of Punch Powertrain for approximately €1 billion. Driven by demand from Asian automakers, annual production reached nearly one million units by 2018. Following financial distress within Yinyi Group related to the Chinese real estate sector, the parent company was reorganized, and ownership of Punch Powertrain was transferred to Sensteed Hi-Tech Group.

Joint venture with PSA and Stellantis

In 2018, Groupe PSA selected Punch Powertrain as supplier of electrified transmission technology. The two companies established the joint venture Punch Powertrain PSA e transmissions which began operations on 17 September 2020, with Punch Powertrain holding a 61% stake and PSA 39%. The joint venture initially focused on the DT2 dual-clutch transmission for mild hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles. Earlier that year, a secondary joint venture was formed to manage assembly at PSA's facility inMetz, France.

After PSA merged into Stellantis in 2021, Stellantis increased its investment in the joint venture, raising its holding to 60% while Punch Powertrain's share fell to 40%. Punch Powertrain began producing eDCT components at its Sint-Truiden facility, supplying final assembly sites in 2023 in Metz, France, and Mirafiori, Italy.

In January 2025, Stellantis acquired Punch Powertrain's remaining stake in the joint venture taking 100% control of the eDCT manufacturing and engineering operations in France and Italy.

Operations

Punch Powertrain is headquartered in Sint-Truiden, Belgium, where it operates research, development, testing and manufacturing facilities. The facility began producing components for the e-DCT transmission developed for Stellantis' hybrid and plug-in hybrid vehicles in 2023. Development and testing of the transmission are also carried out at the site while final assembly takes place at facilities in Metz, France, and Mirafiori, Italy.

The Sint-Truiden facility underwent an investment programme in 2023 that included €9.5 million for a new test centre and €45 million for manufacturing equipment. The company also planned to recruit 250 additional employees as part of the expansion.

In Malaysia, Punch Powertrain manufactures powertrain systems through Sensteed Powertrain Solutions, serving Proton, other local OEMs, and overseas customers.

In 2022, Punch Powertrain entered into a licensing agreement with Tata AutoComp Systems in India for the local manufacture of dual-clutch transmissions. Production began in 2023 at a transmission manufacturing facility in Chakan, Maharashtra.

Products

Punch Powertrain develops and manufactures automotive transmission and powertrain systems including continuously variable transmissions, dual-clutch transmissions, hybrid powertrains and electric propulsion systems.

The company began developing a full hybrid powertrain based on its CVT technology in 2007. In a technical paper presented at the SAE 2010 World Congress & Exhibition, its engineers described the development and testing of the hybrid system, including its powertrain architecture, control strategy, electric motor, and battery systems.

Punch Powertrain's DT1 dual-clutch transmission entered serial production in India in 2022, with the Tata Altroz DCA as its first application. The wet-clutch transmission was designed for compact vehicles. The company has also developed a Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT) system for hybrid electric vehicles, with configurations incorporating one or two electric motors.

In January 2025, Punch Powertrain announced the IV5, an 800-volt silicon-carbide inverter designed for electric drive units, with a scalable output range from 200 kW to more than 400 kW.