Source: Gasgoo
Horse, the new internal combustion engine and hybrid systems division of Group Renault, has signed its first major contract with an outside company, agreeing to supply turbine-diesel engines to Turkish conglomerate Habas.
Announcing the deal last week, the two companies said Horse’s 2.0-liter engine would be used in Habas’ first light commercial vehicle. The power-plant is currently used in mid-size vans from Renault and Nissan. Financial details of the deal were not disclosed.
Horse was created last year as an independent company to centralize Group Renault’s internal combustion engine and hybrid systems businesses, including plants and research and development. The company will produce more than 3 million units a year for Renault, Dacia, Nissan and Mitsubishi, including engines and drive trains. The company began operations in July 2023.
Image source: Horse
Automakers are scrambling to manage an expected decline in sales of gasoline – and diesel-engine models while funding a costly transition to electrification. Renault has also set up a company called Ampere to focus on the development and production of pure electric vehicles.
Habas is a Turkish conglomerate founded in 1956 with operations in industrial and medical gas production, steel production, power generation, heavy machinery manufacturing, motorcycle production, shipbuilding and banking.
Habas started producing cars last year, with products including electric and diesel city buses and trucks. In addition, the company has acquired the former Honda Turkey production site in Gebze, where it intends to produce passenger cars. Honda’s Turkish production site has ceased production in 2021.
Horse’s engines will be used in Habas’ first light commercial vehicles, which will be built in Manisa, eastern Turkey. Horse says the engines comply with the latest European 6d emissions standards.
Horse has a power-train joint venture plant in Bursa, northern Turkey, that produces Renault and Nissan engines, transmissions and other components.
