Rheinmetall has won a follow-up order from an unnamed German carmaker to produce aluminium engine blocks with a total value of more than EUR100m (US$117m).

Full-scale production is planned to start in 2023, with the lifetime of the contract extending beyond 2030.

The company has been supplying the automaker with engine blocks for various vehicle models since the 1990s. The current model is produced using low-pressure die casting, while the newly ordered engine blocks will be cast using low-pressure sand casting.

Developed by Rheinmetall subsidiary KS HUAYU AluTech, the casting method enables the production of integrated cast parts, which combine geometric freedom with optimum weight, maintains the supplier.