Brembo and Ningbo Huaxiang Electronic Co., Ltd. (NBHX) have signed joint venture agreements to localize Brembo’s Sensify intelligent braking platform for the Chinese market, the Italian brake supplier announced from Shanghai. The closing remains subject to customary regulatory approvals. The agreement extends Brembo’s China strategy beyond its earlier 2026 collaboration with JAC Group on next-generation new energy vehicles, and follows the recent start of Sensify series production for an undisclosed global automaker. Brembo, headquartered in Bergamo and listed on the Milan Stock Exchange, framed the deal as a step in adapting its by-wire architecture to the world’s largest vehicle market. Further detail on the Brembo Group corporate site outlines the supplier’s broader China footprint, which dates to a 2001 joint venture.
Highlights
- Brembo and NBHX signed joint venture agreements to localize Sensify, Brembo’s fluid-free brake-by-wire platform, for production and large-scale application in China
- The partnership comes on top of Brembo’s recent start of Sensify series production for a leading global automaker and additional contract signings with new customers
- NBHX, listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange since 2005, operates more than 60 manufacturing sites, three regional R&D centers, and employs over 20,000 people worldwide
- The transaction closing is subject to customary regulatory approvals
What Sensify Brings to a Chinese OEM Customer Base
Sensify is a fluid-free by-wire braking architecture that Brembo positions as distinct from electromechanical braking (EMB) systems. The company describes the platform as pairing hardware with adaptable software layers intended to integrate into software-defined vehicle architectures, enabling features to be deployed across multiple platforms and updated across a vehicle’s lifecycle.
The China localization plan is framed as supporting industrial deployment and large-scale application of Sensify with local OEMs, contributing to software-defined vehicle programs in the country. Brembo did not disclose target volumes, launch customers, or a production timeline tied to the NBHX agreement.
NBHX’s Role in the Partnership
NBHX, incorporated in 1988 and listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange since 2005, supplies vehicle interiors and exteriors, metal parts, and automotive electronics to global OEMs. The company’s stated customer list includes Volkswagen, BMW, Ford, GM, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz, Toyota, Volvo, SAIC Motor, FAW Car, and Dongfeng Nissan. NBHX operates more than 60 manufacturing sites and three regional R&D centers, with the global headquarters based in China and branches in North America, Europe, and South Asia.
Zhou Xiaofeng, Chairman of NBHX, said, “The rapid development of advanced autonomous driving and intelligent chassis technologies is bringing unprecedented opportunities to the industry chain. We are honored to collaborate with Brembo, a global mobility innovation leader. Through this partnership, we will fully leverage Brembo’s strong brand influence and technological expertise in braking, combined with NBHX’s core strengths in precision manufacturing and customer insights, to jointly promote technological innovation and industrial upgrading in China’s intelligent chassis sector.”
How Does the JV Fit Brembo’s China Strategy?
Daniele Schillaci, CEO of Brembo, framed the agreement as a structural step into the Chinese supplier ecosystem rather than a single product placement. “China is the world’s most dynamic and innovative automotive market,” Schillaci said. “As an outstanding representative of China’s automotive components industry, NBHX possesses strong industrial synergy capabilities in areas such as automotive electronics, interior and exterior trim, and metal components. The signing of this strategic partnership marks a crucial step for Brembo in integrating into China’s automotive industry ecosystem and advancing the localization of innovative solutions. Together, we will bring Chinese consumers a safer, smarter, and more enjoyable driving experience, reflecting our long-term purpose of shaping a Zero Accident Future.”
The NBHX deal sits alongside Brembo’s earlier-announced JAC Group framework agreement on braking systems and software for new energy vehicles, and follows the Sensify series-production launch reported earlier this spring. Brembo employs 16,000 people across 18 countries and reported 2025 revenue of €3.7 billion.
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