Brandworks Technologies, long known for its consumer electronics and power management expertise, is making a decisive move into automotive electronics with a design-led Original Design Manufacturing (ODM) model. The company’s focus on powertrain motors, controllers, charging solutions and vehicle power electronics reflects a larger industry shift, where EV OEMs are seeking co-development partners rather than conventional build-to-print suppliers.
“Our entry into automotive electronics is a natural extension of our design-led DNA, where product engineering, validation and scalable manufacturing coexist within a single ecosystem. This allows EV OEMs to move from concept to production much faster without creating large in-house engineering teams. As vehicles become more electronics-driven, the value shifts from pure manufacturing to intelligent co- development. We are positioning ourselves as that technology and execution partner
who can jointly design, industrialise and scale critical systems with reliability and speed.” says Ishwar Kumhar, CEO, Brandworks Technologies Pvt. Ltd.
From Prototype to Production
For India’s EV start-up ecosystem, the transition from prototype to automotive-grade production remains one of the biggest bottlenecks. Brandworks’ new 3.2 lakh sq. ft. integrated facility is designed to address this gap by combining R&D, rapid prototyping, tooling, pilot manufacturing and large-scale production under one roof.
“Scaling hardware is not just about increasing volumes, it requires structured validation, controlled processes and production readiness at every stage. Our integrated infrastructure enables continuous iteration from rapid PCB development and pilot builds to full-scale manufacturing while maintaining automotive-grade quality. Compared to consumer electronics, automotive programs demand deeper
verification and tighter process control, and our facility is built to meet those global benchmarks,” he added.
Modular EV Charging for a Diverse and Demanding Market
As the company expands into AC and DC charging solutions, the emphasis is on modular, configurable hardware platforms that can be adapted across OEM and charge-point operator requirements while handling India’s demanding climatic and grid conditions.
“The market does not just need chargers, it needs locally engineered, reliable and configurable charging platforms that can serve multiple vehicle and network architectures. By combining power electronics design with manufacturing scale, we enable faster deployment for OEMs and infrastructure providers. Our focus is on robust thermal performance, grid compatibility and adaptable system architecture so that the same core platform can address diverse EV use cases,” he explained.
Incubation-Driven Innovation in Powertrain Electronics and BMS
Brandworks’ R&D centres in Bengaluru and Taiwan, supported by an incubation hub, are working on next-generation EV technologies including powertrain electronics, battery packs and battery management systems (BMS).
“The incubation model allows us to convert hardware concepts into market-ready products within compressed timelines. With access to prototyping labs, system design teams and pilot manufacturing, we can industrialise new technologies much faster. This integrated approach ensures that innovation is not isolated in the lab but is always aligned with scalable production and commercial deployment,” he said.
Localisation Beyond Assembly
In EV electronics, true localisation is constrained by global semiconductor dependencies. Brandworks is approaching the challenge through system-level design flexibility, phased supplier development and India-aligned manufacturing.
“Localisation is not a sourcing switch, it is a long-term capability build. Semiconductor supply chains will remain global, so resilience must come from intelligent design that allows multi-source components and flexible production. By aligning global R&D with Indian manufacturing and gradually strengthening regional suppliers, we improve stability for our OEM partners while moving toward meaningful localisation,” he stated.
Designing for the Aftermarket in the Software-Defined Vehicle Era
With software-defined vehicles reshaping the aftermarket, Brandworks is embedding serviceability into controller and electronics architecture through modular hardware and standardised diagnostics.
“We are designing controllers to be repaired, not just replaced. Modular sub- assemblies, standard diagnostic interfaces and support for protocols like OBD-II, UDS and future Ethernet diagnostics will allow independent workshops to test, update and fix specific sections. This reduces downtime and cost for the end user and ensures the aftermarket remains empowered in the software-centric mobility era,” he added.
From Consumer Electronics Strength to Global Automotive Tier 1 Leadership
While consumer electronics continues to provide financial stability, automotive electronics is emerging as Brandworks’ long-term growth engine. The roadmap includes gradual evolution into a global Tier-1 supplier and targeted exports to GCC and select European markets.
“Our growth from a 20,000 sq. ft. unit in 2019 to a mega integrated facility by 2025 reflects a structured, long-term strategy. Consumer electronics remains our foundation, but automotive is our strategic expansion. Over the next five years, we aim to become a globally competitive Tier-1 through in-house design, validation and scalable manufacturing aligned with international standards,” he concluded.
