Horse Powertrain Launches Gravity-Casting Plant in Brazil
Horse Powertrain has opened its first global gravity-casting cylinder head facility in Curitiba, Brazil. The 200-million-reais plant has an annual capacity of 210,000 units for flex-fuel engines.
Horse Powertrain has launched its first global gravity-casting cylinder head facility in Curitiba, Brazil. The plant represents a 200-million-reais investment and has an annual manufacturing capacity of 210,000 aluminium cylinder heads. Chief Executive Officer Matias Giannini opened the facility alongside company executives and government officials.
The new operation is a strategic deployment of gravity casting technology for the joint venture between Geely, Renault Group, and Aramco. It uses 98% recycled aluminum and holds a zero-landfill certification. An integrated furnace-to-mould melting and transit procedure is implemented to curb heat and metal losses.
Sustainability and Process Innovation
The gravity casting process is central to the plant's low-carbon manufacturing goals. It reduces embedded CO2 emissions per cylinder head by 35% compared to conventional injection casting methods. This significant cut is achieved through the use of predominantly recycled material and the efficient integrated melting system. The process is also designed to prolong mould operating life.
Engine and Market Focus
The Curitiba facility produces cylinder heads for two specific flex-fuel engines destined for the South American passenger vehicle market. These components will supply the Horse H10 and Horse H13 engines. The plant's output is dedicated to vehicles sold in Brazil and across the region.
| Engine Model | Displacement | Fuel Type | Market |
|---|---|---|---|
| Horse H10 | 1.0-litre | Flex-fuel (gasoline-ethanol) | Brazil & South America |
| Horse H13 | 1.3-litre | Flex-fuel (gasoline-ethanol) | Brazil & South America |
Strategic Investment and Expansion
Funding for the casting unit was first disclosed in September 2024. The 200-million-reais investment also includes a separate 100-million-reais allocation to expand the H13 engine production capacity at the Curitiba site. This expansion supports the broader South American market demand for flex-fuel powertrains.
The launch in Brazil aligns with Horse Powertrain's global footprint, which includes over 19,000 employees across 18 plants and five R&D centers. The company, which counts Renault, Geely Auto, Volvo, Proton, Nissan, and Mitsubishi Motors among its 25 customers, also maintains an operational hub in Detroit, US. The facility's integrated furnace-to-mould process will prolong mould operating life while supporting H13 engine production for South American markets.
