BorgWarner Wins New Transfer Case Contract in China, Expanding Its AWD Business

BorgWarner has secured a new contract to supply its torque-on-demand transfer case with mechanical lock, known as Mlock TOD, for a newly developed full-size SUV from a Chinese automaker. Production is expected to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026.

A transfer case is the component in a four-wheel or all-wheel drive vehicle that splits engine power between the front and rear axles, and BorgWarner's Mlock TOD version combines torque-on-demand operation, which automatically adjusts how power is distributed based on driving conditions, with a mechanical lock mode that can rigidly connect both axles together for maximum traction in tougher terrain.

Henk Vanthournout, vice president of BorgWarner and president and general manager of its Drivetrain and Morse Systems business, said the company has built a 20-year relationship with this particular customer and is proud to keep supplying its all-wheel drive technology for its latest SUV. He described the Mlock TOD system as combining torque-on-demand four-wheel drive with mechanical locking to handle a wide range of driving conditions while improving off-road capability, handling, and safety, and said BorgWarner intends to keep drawing on its existing product lineup and technical expertise to deliver more value to customers.

The contract comes as demand grows in the full-size SUV market for vehicles that can hand...