Obrist, which fitted a petrol range extender to the Tesla Model 3, collapses with 31.8 million euros in debts

Three companies in the Austrian Obrist group, which developed a petrol range-extender system for the Tesla Model 3, have gone bankrupt. The group failed to bring the project into series production, and its total debts reached roughly 31.8 million euros.

At the end of September, Obrist Powertrain, Obrist Technologies and Obrist DE, based in Germany, filed for bankruptcy. The process has led to the dismissal of 14 employees. The companies are expected to be wound up and their assets sold.

How did the HyperHybrid system work?

Obrist unveiled the HyperHybrid concept in 2020 in Lustenau, Austria. The company shrank the Tesla Model 3's battery and added a compact two-cylinder petrol engine. The engine sat in the front luggage compartment and did not drive the wheels. Its job was to generate electricity and charge the battery.

Thanks to this layout, the car kept its electric motor and could run on a smaller battery of around 17 kWh. The design also allowed alternative fuels such as methanol. The company aimed for a range of up to 1,000 kilometres with the system.

Why did it never reach production?

Obrist failed to turn the technology into a commercial success. It could not find enough industrial partners or customers willing to buy the technology. High development and patent costs added to the financial strain. Licensing revenue fell short of expectations, and talks with potential investors went nowhere.

The company still operating

The bankruptcies did not end all of the group's activity. Obrist Engineering, which develops components for car air conditioning and thermal management systems, is still operating. The firm employs about 30 people and is the part of the group that continues to trade.