Our heritage
Our origins date back to 1759 and for the last 70 years we have put key automotive technologies into series production.
Engineering the future for over 265 years
Journey through our history from being founded in 1759 to becoming the global leader in drive systems.
For over 70 years, GKN Automotive has been leading the automotive industry
In the 1950s, GKN Automotive became a supplier to Jaguar and the XK120 that won the prestigious Alpine Rally, cementing our business’ position as a world leader in innovation, performance and reliability.
In the 1960’s, GKN Automotive revolutionised the industry by launching constant velocity joints (CVJs), enabling a new generation of front-wheel drive cars – including the iconic Mini.
These ground-breaking achievements saw GKN Automotive emerge as a major force in the automotive sector. Over subsequent decades, our business successfully reproduced production quality at new plants around the world, serving an increasingly global customer and industry base.
As driveline requirements have evolved, so have GKN Automotive's capabilities.
As the global leader in complete all-wheel drive and torque management systems, we have an unmatched track record for delivering complete, fully integrated and power agnostic drive systems.
GKN Automotive has pioneered the development and production of electric axle drives for use in plug-in hybrid and pure electric vehicles, and driven the introduction of all-wheel drive systems with disconnect and torque vectoring functions that deliver significant improvements to vehicle emissions and dynamic responses.
Our evolution since 1759
1759
Origins
Founding of the Dowlais Iron Works in Wales, later to become the Guest Company
1902
GKN
Merger creates Guest, Keen & Nettlefolds Limited, today’s GKN Automotive
1950
Automotive market entry
GKN-supplied Jaguar XK120 wins the prestigious Alpine Rally
1966
GKN begins to supply CVJs to the iconic Mini, which goes on to sell >5m units
1972
Global expansion
KN-Chrysler development car breaks the world speed record for a road legal car
1988
Formation of Shanghai GKN Driveshaft, the first Western Tier 1 joint venture in China
2013
GKN supplies world’s first dedicated hybrid transmission
2023
Global leader in electrification
74% of new business awarded on EV platforms, supporting the roll out of electrification
2025
GKN Automotive’s next-generation sideshafts launch on European ICE and electric vehicles