Delphi Technologies sold in multi-billion euro deal

29 January 2020

BorgWarner has completed a takeover of Delphi Technologies in a deal valued at €3 billion.

The acquisition would strengthen BorgWarner’s power electronics products, capabilities and scale. Combining with Delphi Technologies is consistent with BorgWarner’s evolution towards the propulsion market of the future and would enable the supplier to maintain flexibility across combustion, hybrid, and electric propulsion, the company said in a statement.

Approval given

Under the terms of the agreement, which has been approved by the boards of directors of both companies, Delphi Technologies stockholders would receive a fixed exchange ratio of 0.4534 shares of BorgWarner common stock per Delphi Technologies share. Upon closing of the transaction, BorgWarner stockholders are expected to own approximately 84% of the combined company, while Delphi Technologies stockholders would own approximately 16%.

′This exciting transaction represents the next step in BorgWarner’s balanced propulsion strategy, strengthening our position in electrified propulsion as well as our combustion, commercial vehicle and aftermarket businesses,’ said Frédéric Lissalde, President and CEO of BorgWarner. ′Delphi Technologies will bring proven leading power electronics technologies, talent and scale that will complement our hybrid and electric vehicle propulsion offerings. As a combined company, we look forward to delivering enhanced solutions to our customers while driving increased value for our stockholders.’

′This is a compelling transaction that we are confident delivers clear benefits to our stakeholders,’ added Richard Dauch, CEO of Delphi Technologies. ′Delphi Technologies’ portfolio is highly complementary to BorgWarner’s, and together we plan to create a pioneering propulsion technologies company uniquely equipped to serve OEMs and aftermarket customers around the world. BorgWarner’s team shares our focus on addressing today’s and tomorrow’s challenges, and the combination will create exciting opportunities for our employees. We also expect our stockholders will benefit from the opportunity to participate in the future growth and upside potential of the combined company.’

Developing technologies

BorgWarner has said that the acquisition will also help to strengthen its aftermarket business. ′Adding Delphi Technologies’ commercial vehicle and aftermarket business results in more balance across light vehicles, commercial vehicles and the aftermarket,’ the company said.

The transaction should close in the second half of 2020, subject to approval by Delphi Technologies’ stockholders, the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and receipt of regulatory approvals. The combined company will retain the BorgWarner name and will be headquartered in Michigan.

Both companies have spent the last few years investing in products that car manufacturers can use in electric and hybrid vehicles, as a way of offsetting a decline in the demand for internal combustion engines. 

With the pressure on both carmakers and suppliers to develop electric vehicles, due to strict European CO2 regulations, many companies will look to forge new partnerships or indeed sell part, if not all, of their businesses in an effort to reduce the financial burden.