Clarios and VARTA power Benny Leuchter’s GTI at Nürburgring 24h: real-world test of low-voltage battery tech

Why Did Clarios Bet on Low-Voltage Innovation at Nürburgring?

Clarios, the global low-voltage battery and energy storage leader, has made a high-stakes move into motorsports by sponsoring celebrated driver Benny Leuchter at the legendary Nürburgring 24-Hour Race. The technical sponsorship, announced on June 5, 2025, also includes its flagship brand VARTA, widely recognized for its OEM-quality batteries in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. The announcement underscores Clarios’ strategy to position its low-voltage technologies at the cutting edge of performance validation and industry credibility in high-stress automotive environments.

While Clarios itself is privately held and not publicly traded, its industry role parallels those of major listed players like Johnson Controls (formerly NYSE: JCI, which spun off Clarios in 2019) and Exide Technologies. This move into competitive endurance racing serves not only as a branding initiative but also as a practical demonstration of product capability in extreme conditions—a tactic increasingly common in an automotive sector shaped by electrification and intelligent system architecture.

Industry observers have noted that this development comes amid a broader trend of energy storage providers seeking real-world validation for electric vehicle (EV) and hybrid system components. With global demand for EVs projected to grow at a CAGR of over 20% through 2030, suppliers like Clarios are leveraging high-performance motorsport platforms to reinforce product reliability, build OEM trust, and establish technological leadership.

How Is the Nürburgring 24-Hour Race a Benchmark for Battery Tech Validation?

The ADAC TotalEnergies 24h Nürburgring Race is widely considered the toughest and most unpredictable endurance race globally. Set on the 25-kilometer Nordschleife circuit in Germany, it features over 170 corners, extreme elevation shifts, and often volatile weather. This makes the race a perfect crucible for validating not just combustion engine resilience but also increasingly complex electronic and battery systems.

By backing Benny Leuchter’s Volkswagen Mk8.5 GTI TCR team, Clarios demonstrates confidence in its low-voltage battery systems to perform consistently over 24 hours of mechanical, thermal, and electrical stress. Low-voltage systems are responsible for powering mission-critical features such as ignition control, advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS), infotainment, data logging, and communication protocols—functions that must remain stable even when the vehicle undergoes severe load cycles and temperature changes.

From a branding and R&D perspective, this is more than a public relations opportunity. It’s an experimental deployment that allows Clarios engineers to gather field data in one of the most demanding conditions possible. Insights from this real-world validation will likely inform both mass-market and premium battery development pipelines in the coming quarters.

What Does This Mean for Clarios’ Competitive Position in the Automotive Supply Chain?

Clarios, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, powers one in three vehicles on the road globally with low-voltage battery systems. Its battery platforms serve major OEMs including Volkswagen AG (ETR: VOW), General Motors (NYSE: GM), and Toyota Motor Corp. (NYSE: TM). With more than 16,000 employees and operations in over 140 countries, Clarios generated estimated revenues of $9.4 billion in 2024, with EBITDA margins in the range of 17–19%, according to private equity sources.

By partnering with VARTA and pushing into high-performance motorsport visibility, Clarios deepens its value proposition in a supply chain where tier-one suppliers are increasingly expected to provide not just components but integrated, intelligent systems. Competitors such as Continental AG (ETR: CON) and Bosch are expanding into similar territory, making this a timely and strategic move to maintain relevance amid industry digitization.

How Does This Reflect Sectoral and Economic Shifts in Automotive Technology?

Over the past five years, the automotive industry has transitioned from focusing solely on electric propulsion to understanding the holistic architecture of electrified vehicles. As software-defined vehicle (SDV) frameworks become mainstream, low-voltage systems—often taken for granted in traditional combustion vehicles—now play a mission-critical role.

Advanced sensor fusion, cybersecurity protocols, and data-based telemetry demand ultra-reliable 12V systems. Clarios’ sponsorship at Nürburgring signals a shift from viewing low-voltage batteries as commodities to positioning them as strategic, digital assets that underpin modern automotive design.

Moreover, the partnership emerges as institutional investors closely monitor energy storage innovation amid a global push for carbon neutrality and grid independence. With the EU enforcing stricter emission mandates by 2030 and the U.S. offering battery production incentives under the Inflation Reduction Act, the entire supply chain is recalibrating towards sustainability and longevity.

What Are Experts and Analysts Saying About Clarios’ Market Signal?

While Clarios is privately owned by Brookfield Business Partners (NYSE: BBUC), market watchers in the mobility and auto-tech segments view this Nürburgring deployment as a clear pre-IPO credibility enhancer. Analysts suggest that public exposure in a highly technical, global event such as Nürburgring 24h could elevate Clarios’ brand equity and strengthen OEM renewal cycles.

EV market analysts also note that while propulsion batteries often dominate headlines, it’s the consistent performance of low-voltage systems that often determines long-term vehicle satisfaction and reliability scores—areas that OEMs like BMW (ETR: BMW) and Daimler Truck (ETR: DTG) are increasingly scrutinizing in supplier audits.

Institutional buy-side sentiment around energy storage has been bullish in recent quarters, particularly for diversified suppliers that cater to both EV and ICE (internal combustion engine) segments. While Clarios is not directly tracked on public exchanges, sector-wide ETF flows into battery and component providers have risen steadily, with the Global X Lithium & Battery Tech ETF (NYSEARCA: LIT) up 7.4% YTD as of June 2025.

How Does the VARTA Brand Reinforce the Clarios Narrative?

The inclusion of VARTA—a Clarios-owned brand with over 130 years of battery innovation—adds significant historic gravitas to the partnership. Originally established in Germany in 1887, VARTA has long been associated with precision, durability, and trusted OE battery solutions for leading European automotive brands.

VARTA’s strategic alignment with the Nürburgring project further reaffirms its technical capabilities in harsh environmental conditions. As European OEMs push for lightweight, modular, and high-performance battery systems in anticipation of 2027 emissions milestones, VARTA’s presence at such a prestigious race acts as a real-world testament to its readiness.

What’s Next for Clarios and Its Industry Positioning?

Looking ahead, Clarios is expected to deepen its investments in smart low-voltage architectures, likely focusing on modular energy management systems that integrate AI-based diagnostics and predictive maintenance. Industry insiders speculate that Clarios may also explore M&A opportunities with software startups specializing in battery health analytics or BMS (battery management systems) intelligence—a space where rivals like Panasonic Holdings (TSE: 6752) and LG Energy Solution (KRX: 373220) have already begun acquiring capabilities.

A broader implication of this Nürburgring deployment may be a strategic expansion into performance EVs and luxury vehicle platforms, particularly in markets like North America and the European Union, where regulatory and consumer pressures are driving adoption curves.

By putting its products through one of the most punishing endurance trials in the automotive world, Clarios sends a clear message: low-voltage systems are no longer background infrastructure—they are critical enablers of the vehicle of tomorrow. The collaboration with Benny Leuchter and Volkswagen’s GTI TCR platform is a deliberate and data-rich exercise in proving that real-world performance and next-gen mobility start with stable, smart energy at the foundation. As the industry accelerates toward full electrification and smart vehicle networks, Clarios’ positioning strategy at Nürburgring could very well be the spark that powers its next growth phase.