Vitesco Technologies
Vitesco Technologies was a German automotive supplier specializing in electrification, powertrain electronics, drivetrain systems, and combustion-engine technologies.
Last updated August 26, 2026
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Overview
Vitesco Technologies was a German automotive-supplier business headquartered in Regensburg. Its activities centered on drivetrain and powertrain technology for vehicles using internal-combustion engines, hybrid systems, and fully electric propulsion. The company supplied components and integrated systems rather than finished vehicles, positioning itself between semiconductor- and component-level electronics suppliers and vehicle manufacturers seeking complete powertrain subsystems. The business originated inside Continental AG. In January 2019, Continental carved out its Powertrain business area as a more independent organizational unit. At that stage it was known as Continental Powertrain. The change was intended to give the activity greater entrepreneurial flexibility and a clearer strategic focus as the automotive industry moved toward electrification while continuing to depend on combustion-engine and hybrid technologies. The Vitesco Technologies name was introduced on 1 October 2019, replacing the Continental Powertrain designation. Vitesco’s portfolio covered electric drives, hybrid components, high-voltage systems, power electronics, electronic control units, sensors, actuators, and exhaust-management equipment. Its electrification work included 48-volt systems, hybrid-drive components, high-voltage axle drives, and integrated electric-drive units. The company also continued to develop technologies for internal-combustion powertrains, reflecting the mixed technology environment of the automotive market during its operating period. One of its notable technology areas was the 48-volt high-power drive introduced in 2019. The system combined an electric machine, power electronics, and a battery-oriented hybrid architecture in a compact package. Compared with higher-voltage systems, the 48-volt approach was described as potentially lighter, more compact, and less expensive to manufacture while supporting hybrid functionality. Vitesco also offered high-voltage axle drives with stated outputs of 120 kW and 150 kW, integrating the electric machine, power electronics, and reduction gear in a single unit. Power electronics formed another central part of the business. These systems manage the flow of energy between a vehicle battery and electric machine, including the conversion and control required for propulsion and regenerative braking. Vitesco described an integrated power module capable of handling currents of up to 650 amperes for plug-in hybrid and battery-electric applications. The company also developed the EMR4 electric motor-reducer using an externally excited synchronous motor. This architecture does not require permanent magnets and therefore avoids the use of rare-earth materials in the rotor. Vitesco stated that the design could provide power and efficiency comparable with permanent-magnet synchronous motors while reducing cost and avoiding the energy losses associated with a continuously magnetized rotor. Vitesco became legally independent from Continental on 16 September 2021 and was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. Its organization comprised two economically independent divisions: Electrification Solutions and Powertrain Solutions. Andreas Wolf, who had led Continental’s Powertrain division since 2018, became Vitesco’s chief executive after the separation. The company’s independent existence ended on 1 October 2024, when Vitesco Technologies merged with Schaeffler Group. Accordingly, Vitesco is best understood as a former standalone automotive-technology company whose products, engineering capabilities, and organizational activities became part of the combined Schaeffler group rather than as an active independent brand and listed entity.
History
Vitesco Technologies developed from Continental AG’s Powertrain business. Continental carved out that business area on 1 January 2019 in an effort to create a more independent and entrepreneurially flexible organization. The separation reflected the growing strategic importance of vehicle electrification and the need to manage electric, hybrid, and conventional powertrain technologies within a focused business structure. The newly separated activity initially operated under the name Continental Powertrain. Continental introduced the Vitesco Technologies brand on 1 October 2019. The new identity marked the business’s intended evolution from a conventional powertrain division into a broader supplier of propulsion and electrification technology. During the same year, Vitesco introduced a 48-volt high-power drive rated at 30 kW. The system illustrated the company’s approach of developing compact electrified systems for hybrid vehicles alongside higher-voltage technologies for plug-in hybrids and battery-electric vehicles. Vitesco’s technical scope included electric machines, power electronics, control units, sensors, actuators, and exhaust-management devices. Its electric-drive portfolio included 48-volt systems and integrated high-voltage axle drives. The axle-drive concept combined the electric motor, power electronics, and reduction gear in one assembly, with stated power variants of 120 kW and 150 kW. This integration was intended to support packaging and system efficiency in vehicle applications. The company also worked on power-electronics systems that control the relationship between the traction battery and electric machine. These systems supply propulsion energy and manage energy recovery during regenerative braking. Vitesco described an integrated power module capable of handling currents up to 650 amperes. Its portfolio addressed both plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles, while the wider business continued to serve conventional internal-combustion powertrains. Another development was the EMR4 motor-reducer, based on an externally excited synchronous motor. Unlike a permanent-magnet motor, this architecture does not use permanent magnets in the rotor and therefore avoids rare-earth materials in that component. Vitesco presented the motor as capable of reaching power and efficiency levels comparable with permanent-magnet synchronous machines while potentially reducing cost and certain operating losses. Andreas Wolf had led Continental’s Powertrain division since 2018 and became chief executive of Vitesco after the demerger. Under its independent structure, the company operated through two economically independent divisions: Electrification Solutions and Powertrain Solutions. This structure separated the company’s electrification activities from its broader powertrain portfolio while retaining a unified corporate identity. On 16 September 2021, Vitesco Technologies became independent from Continental and was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The listing represented the formal transition from a Continental business area to a standalone public automotive supplier. Its independence was relatively brief. Vitesco merged with Schaeffler Group on 1 October 2024. Following that transaction, Vitesco no longer existed as an independent listed company, and its business activities became part of the combined Schaeffler organization.
- 2024
Merger with Schaeffler Group
[1]Vitesco Technologies merged with Schaeffler Group on 1 October 2024, ending its existence as a standalone company.
- 2021
Independence from Continental and stock-market listing
[1]Vitesco became independent from Continental and was listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 16 September 2021.
- 2019
Continental Powertrain is carved out
[1]Continental AG separated its Powertrain business area on 1 January 2019 to create a more independent organizational platform.
- 2019
Vitesco Technologies brand is introduced
[1]The Continental Powertrain name was replaced by Vitesco Technologies on 1 October 2019.
- 2019
30 kW 48-volt high-power drive introduced
[1]Vitesco presented a 48-volt high-power drive with an output of 30 kW for hybrid powertrain applications.
Products and positioning
An automotive technology supplier focused on the transition from conventional powertrains toward hybrid and electric propulsion, while retaining capabilities for internal-combustion applications.
Hybrid electric drive · 2019
48-volt high-power drive
Introduced in 2019 with a stated output of 30 kW, the 48-volt high-power drive was designed for hybrid applications. The broader 48-volt architecture combined electric-drive functionality with relatively compact and lightweight packaging. Vitesco positioned this type of system as an alternative to more complex high-voltage arrangements where vehicle manufacturers sought electrification at potentially lower system cost and packaging burden.
Electric drivetrain
High-voltage axle drive
Vitesco’s high-voltage axle drive integrated an electric machine, power electronics, and reduction gear into one drivetrain unit. The described versions delivered 120 kW or 150 kW. Integration of these functions was intended to simplify vehicle packaging and provide an efficient propulsion module for electrified vehicles, including applications requiring higher power than 48-volt hybrid systems.
Power electronics
Integrated power module
The integrated power module managed electrical energy between the vehicle battery and electric machine. It supported propulsion and regenerative braking in plug-in hybrid and battery-electric vehicles. Vitesco described the module as capable of handling currents of up to 650 amperes, making it a central control and conversion element in high-voltage electric powertrains.
Electric motor-reducer
EMR4
The EMR4 used an externally excited synchronous motor rather than a permanent-magnet synchronous design. Its rotor therefore required no permanent magnets or rare-earth minerals. Vitesco stated that the motor could offer power and efficiency comparable with permanent-magnet alternatives, while avoiding magnetic drag in the rotor and potentially reducing material and system costs.
Powertrain electronics
Electronic control units, sensors, and actuators
Vitesco supplied electronic control units, sensors, and actuators used to monitor and regulate vehicle powertrain functions. These components supported conventional, hybrid, and electric architectures and formed part of the company’s broader effort to combine electrical control with mechanical drivetrain systems.
Combustion-engine emissions technology
Exhaust-management devices
Alongside its electrification products, Vitesco developed exhaust-management devices for internal-combustion powertrains. This part of the portfolio reflected the company’s continued participation in conventional engine technology during the period in which electric, hybrid, and combustion vehicles coexisted in the automotive market.
Brand decisions
2024
Merge with Schaeffler GroupM&ABackground
Vitesco’s independent corporate period concluded through a combination with Schaeffler Group.
Action taken
Vitesco Technologies merged with Schaeffler Group on 1 October 2024.
Aftermath
Vitesco ceased to operate as an independent listed company, and its activities became part of the combined Schaeffler organization.
2021
Become an independent publicly listed companyStrategyBackground
Vitesco had operated as a business area within Continental and was created to pursue greater organizational and entrepreneurial independence.
Action taken
The company completed its separation from Continental and listed on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange on 16 September 2021.
Aftermath
Vitesco operated as a standalone automotive supplier until its subsequent merger with Schaeffler Group.
2019
Separate the Powertrain business and establish a dedicated identityStrategyBackground
Continental’s Powertrain activity was being repositioned as a more independent business amid major changes in automotive propulsion, including the growth of hybrid and electric vehicles.
Action taken
Continental carved out the Powertrain business in January 2019 and introduced the Vitesco Technologies name in October of the same year.
Aftermath
The reorganization created the corporate platform that later became an independently listed company.
2019
Launch a 30 kW 48-volt high-power driveProduct launchBackground
Vehicle manufacturers were adopting hybridization at different voltage levels, creating demand for compact electrified powertrain systems.
Action taken
Vitesco introduced a 48-volt high-power drive rated at 30 kW.
Aftermath
The launch expanded Vitesco’s visible electrification portfolio while the company continued to develop high-voltage and combustion-engine technologies.
Recent events
GaN Systems announces $150 million growth funding round[2]
GaN Systems announced a US$150 million growth capital funding round, led by Fidelity Investments and joined by Vitesco Technologies and existing investors including BMW i Ventures.
Vitesco Technologies and GaN Systems announce strategic partnership[2]
Vitesco Technologies announced a broad strategic partnership with GaN Systems to enable GaN solutions across the electric vehicle platform.
Reported
Vitesco Technologies launches EMR4 electric axle drive system[3]
Vitesco Technologies launched its fourth-generation EMR4 integrated electric axle drive system during the TMC conference in Shanghai. The system has a power range of 80 to 230 kW.
Sources3 sources
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