News

05/11/2026News Releases

UK Subsidiary-Developed In-Wheel Motor to Be Installed in Renault Vehicle To Launch Mass-Production Sales, a First for a European Passenger Car

EXEDY Corporation (Head Office: Neyagawa City, Osaka; President & Representative Director: Tetsuya Yoshinaga), through its consolidated subsidiary Protean (Surrey, U.K.; CEO: Mr. Andrew John Graham Whitehead), announced that Protean’s in-wheel motor for passenger vehicles will be installed in a vehicle manufactured by Renault, a major French automaker, with sales scheduled to begin from 2027.

This is expected to be the world’s first mass-production passenger vehicle from a major European automaker to be commercialized with an in-wheel motor.

1. Overview

As the automotive industry enters a period of transformation commonly referred to as “CASE,” the Company is advancing a shift in its business portfolio to enhance corporate value over the medium to long term. The automotive sector is expected to remain a strategically important market, and the Company positions it as a key pillar of its portfolio, steadily acquiring the technologies required to respond to accelerating electrification.

Protean, which became a subsidiary of the Company in March this year, is a market leader engaged in the development, manufacturing, and sales of in-wheel motors that integrate drive motors within the wheel. The technology is expected to contribute to improved vehicle control and dynamic performance, expanded design flexibility, innovation in drive architectures through integration of mechanical, electrical, and control systems, and the resolution of control-integration challenges in the transition to software-defined vehicles (SDVs). These strengths are believed to have led to adoption for Renault’s vehicle.

2. Key Features of Protean’s In-Wheel Motor

1. Energy Efficiency: By adopting a direct-drive architecture that eliminates the need for gears and shafts, the system reduces power transmission losses and enables highly efficient driving.
2. Vehicle Dynamics：High-response, independent control of all four wheels supports superior driving stability while delivering excellent handling performance and safety.
3. Cabin Space & Packaging: By consolidating the drive unit within the wheel, the design can expand cabin space and increase flexibility in overall vehicle packaging.

3. Outlook

Building on the decision to adopt the in-wheel motor for Renault’s vehicle, the Company will continue development efforts with a view to expanding adoption to additional vehicle models and other OEM programs. By fully leveraging the competitive advantages of Protean’s products and strengthening its position as a leading company in electrified vehicle drivetrain components, the Company aims to contribute to the realization of a decarbonized society, help minimize environmental impact, and address key social challenges.

In addition, by combining Protean’s advanced electrical and control-development capabilities with the Company’s technologies, quality standards, customer base, and know-how cultivated over many years in drivetrain components—together with its global operating footprint—the Company will continue to create and provide products that enhance the comfort of mobility for both people and goods.

(For Reference)

The Company has formulated the Long-term Vision that outlines its aspired state for fiscal 2050, reflecting its corporate philosophy (“Creation of fulfillment”) and significant changes in the business environment. In 2024, to realize this Long-term Vision, the Company announced its Mid- to Long-term Strategy and the Mid-Term Management Plan “REVOLUTION 2026,” which consists of business strategy, financial strategy, and ESG strategy. The Company will continue to pursue improvements in corporate value through execution of these strategies, and this initiative is positioned within the framework of the above Mid- to Long-term Strategy.

*Excerpt from EXEDY’s Financial Results For the Fiscal Year Ended 31 March 2026*

About Protean Electric

Protean Electric is a leading in-wheel motor company that develops integrated drive units, including inverters, and has already established a track record of adoption in high-performance EVs, EV conversions, and concept vehicles. In addition to its U.K.-based headquarters and R&D functions, Protean Electric operates a manufacturing facility in Tianjin, China, and an office in Shanghai.