Strengthening Global Supply Capability for Electrical Pitting-Resistant Bearings to Supporting Next-Generation Electrified Mobility

Establishing a manufacturing capability in China to meet growing EV market NTN Corporation (hereafter NTN) has commenced efforts to establish a local manufacturing capability in China for its “Resin Mold Insulated Bearings” for e-Axles, a drivetrain unit of electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs), with a view toward future mass production. Amid the rapid expansion of EV and HEV markets in China, NTN aims to build a supply capability of responding to anticipated demand growth while enhancing its ability to provide prompt and customer focused support. Resin Mold Insulated Bearings suppress electrical pitting—an issue characteristic of electrified vehicle applications—by injection molding an insulating resin layer onto the outer diameter and width surfaces of the bearing's outer ring. As system of electrified vehicles operates at higher battery voltages, bearings used in e-Axles are required to achieve higher levels of electrical insulation performance and reliability, and demand for such products is expected to grow further. NTN started mass production of this product in Japan in 2025*1, steadily expanding its lineup of Electrical pitting-resistant bearings for electrified vehicles. By additionally establishing a manufacturing capability in China geared toward mass production, NTN seeks to further strengthen its solution proposal and supply capabilities in line with customer needs in China, a market where electrification is advancing ahead of other regions. In China, NTN plans to begin supply prototype samples from May 2026, followed by a phased transition to mass production based on market trends and customer inquiries. In recent years, China has experienced rapid growth in its EV and HEV markets. Accordingly, demand has been increasing for e-Axle bearings that offer high resistance to electrical pitting and strong reliability, along with a stable local manufacturing capability. Through establishing a local supply chain via local production, along with close customer engagement starting from the prototype stage, NTN aims to enhance customer value in the Chinese market while further expanding global sales of Electrical pitting-resistant bearings. NTN will continue to optimize its production and supply capabilities in line with regional market trends and customer needs, contributing to higher performance and reliability of electrified vehicles.