EXECUTIVE INSIGHTS: BorgWarner VP and CTO Hakan Yilmaz

With Delphi Technologies expected to join its portfolio, BorgWarner is focusing on differentiating its product line for emerging propulsion architectures.

The automotive sector is in a time of enormous flux. As the foundational aspects of the industry shift, longstanding Tier-1 suppliers such as BorgWarner must continue to drive innovation for their OEM customers. Hakan Yilmaz, BorgWarner's chief technology officer (CTO) and a VP, is well situated to architect the changes affecting the technology at the core of the propulsion revolution. SAE's Automotive Engineering sought his insights into changes roiling the field.

Yilmaz oversees BorgWarner's advanced engineering, portfolio strategy and market research teams. He's tasked with ensuring the supplier's technical portfolio leads in the industry, while also meeting current and anticipated future market needs. Prior to joining BorgWarner, Yilmaz spent more than 15 years at Bosch, where he held several engineering and executive positions before departing as the global head of powertrain systems and advanced engineering. Before Bosch, Yilmaz earned experience at Volvo and holds a master's degree in mechanical engineering and engineering management from the University of Michigan.