～Integrating e-Axle Technology and Battery Swapping System to Realize a Sustainable Mobility Society～
Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. (Headquarters: Toyohashi City, Aichi Prefecture, President and CEO: Hiroshi Otsuka, hereinafter "Musashi") has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with glafit Inc. (Headquarters: Wakayama City, Wakayama Prefecture, Representative Director and CEO: Teizo Narumi, hereinafter "glafit"), a Japanese mobility startup, for the purpose of collaborating on the sales and deployment of two-wheeled EVs in the People's Republic of Bangladesh. Both companies have signed a capital partnership agreement and will promote the full-scale development of the EV business by leveraging their respective strengths.
▲ MoU signing ceremony at the Bangladesh Business Seminar hosted by Bangladesh Investment Development Authority (BIDA) in Tokyo on May 30, 2025. From left: Muhammad Yunus (Nobel Peace Prize Laureate), Mohammad Dawood Ali (Ambassador of Bangladesh to Japan), Teizo Narumi (CEO of glafit), Akira Mataga (Open Innovation Director, Musashi Seimitsu Industry)
■Background and Purpose of Collaboration
glafit has played a pioneering role in the development and regulatory framework of "Mobichen," which can switch between electric motorcycle and bicycle modes in a single vehicle, and has led the establishment of rules and systems for electric mobility in Japan. The company has also introduced new concepts in personal mobility by developing and selling fashionable electric motorcycles with detachable batteries, as well as offering micro-sharing services.
Musashi, leveraging the technology and network cultivated through the development of two-wheeler products and production at global sites, is working with local two-wheeled EV startups in India, Africa, and ASEAN regions to promote the adoption of small e-Mobility. The company possesses a technological foundation that supports the infrastructure of two-wheeled EVs, with its self-developed compact and high-performance e-Axle (EV drive unit) as its strength.
In this collaboration, Musashi's hardware technology and international network will be combined with glafit's envisaged Battery as a Service (BaaS) battery swapping system to realise the large-scale social implementation of two-wheeled EVs in Bangladesh, providing an integrated hardware and software solution.
■Future Development
Bangladesh is a growing market with a population of approximately 170 million. While electricity prices are low due to abundant domestic natural gas resources, gasoline prices are high due to limited petroleum resources. This creates an environment that is economically conducive to the adoption of e-mobility. Musashi and glafit will develop a two-wheeled EV business in Bangladesh by integrating EVs equipped with Musashi's e-Axle and glafit's battery swapping system. This business is scheduled to commence within the current financial year, with plans to expand to other regions in the future.
【About glafit】
glafit Inc. is a hardware mobility venture from Wakayama that provides one-stop development, manufacturing, and sales of electric personal mobility. With the brand message "Move Forward with Fun!", the company develops and provides mobility that transforms daily transportation into moments of surprise and excitement, bringing smiles to people around the world through new mobility experiences.
glafit Website: https://glafit.com/
【About Musashi】
Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. is a global auto parts Tier1 company for automobiles and motorcycles, whose headquarters is located in Toyohashi, Japan. It has 35 manufacturing sites spreading across Europe, North and South America, China, and South East Asia. Musashi specializes in designing, developing and manufacturing products such as Differential Assemblies, Transmission Gears and Assemblies, and Linkage and Suspension (L&S) products especially for the future automobiles including electric and autonomous vehicles. Musashi is also generating and expanding new businesses through open innovation with global startups to contribute to the SDGs in wider business domains. Musashi AI, a leading-edge AI technology subsidiary to lead Industry 4.0, is one of the examples.
Musashi Website: https://www.musashi.co.jp/en/
■Background and Purpose of Collaboration
glafit has played a pioneering role in the development and regulatory framework of "Mobichen," which can switch between electric motorcycle and bicycle modes in a single vehicle, and has led the establishment of rules and systems for electric mobility in Japan. The company has also introduced new concepts in personal mobility by developing and selling fashionable electric motorcycles with detachable batteries, as well as offering micro-sharing services.
Musashi, leveraging the technology and network cultivated through the development of two-wheeler products and production at global sites, is working with local two-wheeled EV startups in India, Africa, and ASEAN regions to promote the adoption of small e-Mobility. The company possesses a technological foundation that supports the infrastructure of two-wheeled EVs, with its self-developed compact and high-performance e-Axle (EV drive unit) as its strength.
In this collaboration, Musashi's hardware technology and international network will be combined with glafit's envisaged Battery as a Service (BaaS) battery swapping system to realise the large-scale social implementation of two-wheeled EVs in Bangladesh, providing an integrated hardware and software solution.
■Future Development
Bangladesh is a growing market with a population of approximately 170 million. While electricity prices are low due to abundant domestic natural gas resources, gasoline prices are high due to limited petroleum resources. This creates an environment that is economically conducive to the adoption of e-mobility. Musashi and glafit will develop a two-wheeled EV business in Bangladesh by integrating EVs equipped with Musashi's e-Axle and glafit's battery swapping system. This business is scheduled to commence within the current financial year, with plans to expand to other regions in the future.
【About glafit】
glafit Inc. is a hardware mobility venture from Wakayama that provides one-stop development, manufacturing, and sales of electric personal mobility. With the brand message "Move Forward with Fun!", the company develops and provides mobility that transforms daily transportation into moments of surprise and excitement, bringing smiles to people around the world through new mobility experiences.
glafit Website: https://glafit.com/
【About Musashi】
Musashi Seimitsu Industry Co., Ltd. is a global auto parts Tier1 company for automobiles and motorcycles, whose headquarters is located in Toyohashi, Japan. It has 35 manufacturing sites spreading across Europe, North and South America, China, and South East Asia. Musashi specializes in designing, developing and manufacturing products such as Differential Assemblies, Transmission Gears and Assemblies, and Linkage and Suspension (L&S) products especially for the future automobiles including electric and autonomous vehicles. Musashi is also generating and expanding new businesses through open innovation with global startups to contribute to the SDGs in wider business domains. Musashi AI, a leading-edge AI technology subsidiary to lead Industry 4.0, is one of the examples.
Musashi Website: https://www.musashi.co.jp/en/