DeepDrive Lands First Production Deal, Eyes 2028 Launch With Major Automaker

German electric drive specialist DeepDrive has secured its first production contract, a milestone that could put its in-wheel motor technology on the road with a major automaker as soon as 2028. The Munich-based company, which counts BMW among its backers, has been developing a compact dual-rotor motor that packages the drive unit directly into the wheel hub rather than occupying space in the vehicle’s body.

The design is central to DeepDrive’s pitch. By integrating the motor and power electronics into a single unit mounted at the wheel, the company aims to free up interior and underfloor volume that conventional electric platforms typically reserve for drivetrain hardware. That could give automakers more flexibility in battery packaging, cabin layout and overall vehicle proportions — an attractive proposition as manufacturers look for ways to differentiate their next-generation EVs without adding cost.

DeepDrive has not disclosed the identity of the partner behind the production contract, nor the specific vehicle program it covers. The 2028 timeline is the first firm indication of when the technology is expected to reach series production, and it suggests the company has moved past the prototype and demonstration phase into engineering work tied to a real assembly line.

BMW’s involvement as an investor lends the effort credibility in a segment where established suppliers already dominate. In-wheel motor concepts have circulated for years, but few have cleared the durability, unsprung mass and cost hurdles required for mass production. Securing a customer contract is therefore a meaningful validation for DeepDrive, even with the technical challenges that remain.

If the 2028 target holds, DeepDrive would join a small group of suppliers attempting to commercialize wheel-integrated drive systems. Much will depend on whether the unnamed automaker keeps the program on schedule — and whether other manufacturers follow with orders of their own.