Technify Motors
Corporate brand
UnclaimedGerman aircraft-engine manufacturer and successor to the former Thielert Aircraft Engines business.
Last updated August 31, 2026
Overview
Technify Motors GmbH is a German aircraft-engine manufacturer based in Sankt Egidien, Saxony. The company is the successor to the aircraft-engine activities of Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, whose Centurion diesel engines were developed for general-aviation aircraft using jet fuel rather than conventional aviation gasoline. In July 2013, Continental Motors acquired the former Thielert engine designs and manufacturing assets and incorporated them into the Continental Motors Group under the Technify Motors name. Continental Motors is part of AVIC, the Chinese state-owned aerospace and industrial group. The business traces its technological and commercial roots to Thielert’s work adapting diesel automotive-engine technology for light aircraft. The original Thielert group was established in 1989, while Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH was formed in 1999 to concentrate on diesel propulsion for general aviation. Its first major production product, the Centurion 1.7, entered serial production in 2002. The company’s proposition was based on fuel flexibility, lower fuel consumption, and the use of widely available jet fuel, particularly for training and utility aircraft. Centurion engines were installed in aircraft such as the Diamond DA40 and DA42 and were also offered through retrofit programs for aircraft including the Piper PA-28 and Cessna 172. Thielert expanded rapidly but experienced severe financial and governance problems. In 2008, German legal proceedings invalidated aspects of its earlier financial statements, and criminal investigations examined allegations concerning invoices and the presentation of the company’s financial position. Frank Thielert, the founder, and chief financial officer Roswitha Grosser were removed from their positions in April 2008. Thielert Aircraft Engines filed for insolvency on 24 April 2008, followed by the holding company Thielert AG on 30 April. The insolvency disrupted engine support, warranty administration, parts pricing, and aircraft operating economics. Cessna suspended its plans for a diesel-powered 172 variant, while Diamond Aircraft later withdrew from discussions to acquire the business. Despite the insolvency, production and aftermarket activity continued under the administration of Bruno M. Kübler. Production of the diesel-engine range resumed in June 2008, and the operating business was transferred in 2009 to Centurion Engines, a company outside the original insolvency proceedings, for worldwide sales of Centurion engines and parts. The business later returned to profitability and attracted interest from potential investors. The 2013 acquisition by Continental Motors provided a new corporate structure and access to AVIC-backed investment. Under Technify Motors, the former Thielert designs and production capabilities became part of a larger aircraft-engine group. The company continued supporting the Centurion family and pursued improvements to service intervals, including longer inspection periods for gearbox and clutch components. By April 2017, the combined business had delivered its 5,000th engine after 15 years of production, with the installed fleet reported to have accumulated more than 5.25 million flight hours across over 2,750 aircraft. Technify Motors is therefore best understood as the continuing aircraft-engine business descended from Thielert, rather than as the former Thielert AG holding company itself.
History
Technify Motors is the successor to the aircraft-engine business developed by the German Thielert group. The broader Thielert organization was founded in 1989 as a financial holding company with interests in engine development and manufacturing. Its aircraft-engine subsidiary, Thielert Aircraft Engines GmbH, was established in 1999 to adapt diesel technology for general aviation. The company operated facilities in Saxony and Thuringia and pursued a business model centered on compact, automotive-derived engines capable of burning jet fuel. The first important product was the Centurion 1.7, which entered serial production in 2002. Thielert promoted diesel propulsion as an alternative to gasoline engines traditionally used in light aircraft. The concept offered potential advantages in fuel availability and operating efficiency, especially for training aircraft and aircraft operating in regions where jet fuel was easier to obtain than aviation gasoline. Centurion engines were installed in Diamond’s DA40 and DA42 aircraft, and retrofit kits were developed for aircraft such as the Piper PA-28 Cherokee and Cessna 172. The company also explored larger or newer engine concepts, including the proposed Centurion 3.2 and Centurion 4.0, although those programs were not completed. Thielert’s growth was followed by a major financial crisis. In March 2008, a Hamburg court invalidated the company’s financial statements for several earlier years because of alleged breaches of valuation requirements. The resulting loss of confidence severely damaged the company’s market position. In April, the board dismissed founder Frank Thielert and chief financial officer Roswitha Grosser amid a criminal investigation into allegations that false invoices had been used to inflate accounts receivable and make the company appear financially stronger. The allegations and subsequent proceedings became central to the collapse of the original group. Thielert Aircraft Engines filed for insolvency at the Chemnitz County Court on 24 April 2008. Thielert AG, the holding company, filed one week later. During the insolvency period, Bruno M. Kübler served as administrator, while Marcel Kleib was appointed chief executive and Achim Ahrendt was involved in overseeing the legal process. The administrator attempted to maintain production, supply customers, and preserve the business as a viable industrial operation. Production was restarted in June 2008, although the company’s altered warranty and parts policies generated strong opposition among aircraft owners and Diamond Aircraft customers. The inability to obtain warranty support or economical replacement parts caused some Thielert-powered aircraft to be grounded or operated less frequently. The crisis also affected aircraft manufacturers. Cessna suspended its plan for a diesel-equipped Cessna 172 variant. Diamond Aircraft considered acquiring Thielert but withdrew from the bidding process in July 2008, saying that important information had not been provided for due diligence. Thielert rejected that explanation and argued that Diamond was attempting to weaken the company’s position. Later in 2008, pressure from operators and manufacturers led the insolvency administration to reconsider parts pricing and to work on extending inspection and replacement intervals for gearbox clutches and other life-limited components. By early 2009, the administrator stated that the business was operating profitably and at capacity. In April 2009, the new Centurion Engines company took over the operating business for worldwide sales of Centurion engines and spare parts, separating new commercial activity from the original insolvency proceedings. By late 2010, the business was reported to be profitable and seeking investors. The decisive ownership transition came in July 2013, when Continental Motors acquired the former Thielert designs and manufacturing assets. Continental placed them in Technify Motors GmbH, linking the German engine operation to Continental’s broader aviation propulsion group and to AVIC ownership. The Technify name represents continuity of the engineering and production assets rather than continuity of the former Thielert AG holding company. Under Continental and AVIC, the company continued development and support of the Centurion product family, with particular attention to extending gearbox inspection intervals and improving long-term maintainability. In April 2017, the business announced delivery of its 5,000th engine after 15 years of production. The installed fleet was reported to have accumulated more than 5.25 million flight hours and to equip more than 2,750 aircraft. Technify Motors consequently occupies a specialized position in aviation as a German producer and support organization for diesel and jet-fuel piston engines used in light aircraft and related applications.
- 2017
5,000th engine delivered
[1]Technify Motors reported delivery of its 5,000th engine, with the fleet surpassing 5.25 million flight hours.
- 2013
Continental Motors acquires the business
[1]Continental Motors acquired the former Thielert engine designs and manufacturing assets and renamed the operation Technify Motors GmbH.
- 2009
Centurion Engines assumes new operating business
[1]Sales of Centurion engines and spare parts were transferred to a company outside the original insolvency proceedings.
- 2008
Operating company files for insolvency
[1]Thielert Aircraft Engines entered insolvency after financial-reporting disputes and the failure of a restructuring effort.
- 2002
Centurion 1.7 enters serial production
[1]Thielert began serial production of its first major general-aviation diesel engine.
- 1999
Thielert Aircraft Engines founded
[1]A dedicated subsidiary was formed to adapt diesel engines for general aviation.
- 1989
Thielert group established
[1]The organization that later developed the aircraft-engine business was founded as a German financial holding company with engine-related activities.
Products and positioning
A specialist provider of diesel and jet-fuel piston engines for light aircraft, combining automotive-derived engine technology with aviation propulsion, retrofit support, and lifecycle servicing.
Aircraft diesel engine · 2002
Centurion 2.0
A four-cylinder-class aviation diesel engine in the Centurion family, designed to run on jet fuel and intended for light general-aviation aircraft. It powered production and retrofit applications including the Diamond DA40 Diamond Star and Diamond DA42 Twin Star, as well as the Robin DR400 135 CDI Ecoflyer. The engine formed the core of Thielert’s commercial aircraft-engine program and remained part of the product heritage transferred to Technify Motors.
Aircraft diesel engine
Centurion 2.0s
A higher-output version of the Centurion 2.0 family, rated at approximately 155 horsepower. It was selected for the planned diesel-powered Cessna 172 Skyhawk TD. That aircraft program was suspended during the 2008 Thielert insolvency, but the engine remains part of the historical Centurion range transferred to the Technify business.
Aircraft diesel engine · 2008
Centurion 3.2
A proposed approximately 230-horsepower aircraft diesel engine announced for development in 2008. The program was not completed, making it an example of the product expansion plans interrupted by the company’s insolvency.
Aircraft diesel engine
Centurion 4.0
A proposed approximately 350-horsepower diesel aircraft engine. Development did not reach completion, and the model was not commercialized as part of the Centurion production range.
Aircraft propulsion retrofit
Centurion retrofit kits
Installation packages enabled selected piston aircraft to be converted to Centurion diesel propulsion. Known applications included the Piper PA-28 Cherokee and Cessna 172. These kits supported Thielert’s strategy of addressing both new-aircraft manufacturers and the existing general-aviation fleet.
Controversies
2016
Fraud conviction involving Frank Thielert
Frank Thielert was sentenced to four years in prison for fraud connected with representations about the company’s value and financial condition during efforts to attract buyers and investors. In 2017, Germany’s Federal Court of Justice overturned the Hamburg Regional Court ruling and sent the matter back for reconsideration.
2008
Financial-reporting and invoice allegations
A Hamburg court nullified several earlier Thielert financial statements over alleged violations of valuation provisions. A related criminal investigation examined allegations that false invoices were used to inflate receivables and present a stronger financial position. The controversy preceded the removal of senior managers and the company’s insolvency.
Brand decisions
2013
Transfer the engine assets to Continental MotorsM&ABackground
The former Thielert aircraft-engine designs and manufacturing assets required a new industrial owner after the collapse of Thielert AG.
Action taken
Continental Motors acquired the assets and organized them as Technify Motors GmbH within the Continental Motors Group.
Aftermath
The transaction connected the German diesel-engine operation with Continental’s aviation business and AVIC-backed investment.
2009
Separate new commercial activity from the insolvent companyStrategyBackground
The original Thielert operating company remained subject to insolvency proceedings while the engine business needed a functioning sales and support structure.
Action taken
Centurion Engines assumed worldwide sales of Centurion engines and spare parts through a company unaffected by the insolvency proceedings.
Aftermath
The business continued operating and later sought investment before being acquired by Continental Motors.
2008
Continue production under insolvency administrationOtherBackground
The insolvency threatened engine supply, parts availability, warranties, and the value of the operating business.
Action taken
The administrator maintained production, accepted orders, and sought to preserve the company as a going concern.
Aftermath
Production resumed in June 2008, although warranty and parts policies caused significant customer dissatisfaction.
Recent events
- 2017
Technify Motors delivers its 5,000th engine[1]
Product generation
The successor business reported delivery of its 5,000th engine, marking more than 15 years of production and a fleet exceeding 2,750 aircraft.
- 2013
Continental Motors acquires Thielert assets and creates Technify Motors[1]
M&A
Continental Motors acquired the former Thielert aircraft-engine designs and manufacturing assets and placed them in Technify Motors GmbH.
- 2009
Centurion Engines takes over operating sales activity[1]
Bankruptcy
The new Centurion Engines entity assumed worldwide sales of Centurion diesel engines and spare parts outside the original insolvency structure.
- 2008
Thielert AG follows its operating subsidiary into insolvency[1]
Bankruptcy
The holding company filed for insolvency shortly after Thielert Aircraft Engines, effectively ending the original group’s independent operations later that year.
- 2008
Cessna suspends diesel 172 plans[1]
Product launch · Bankruptcy
Cessna suspended plans to market a diesel-powered Cessna 172 variant after the Thielert insolvency created uncertainty around engine supply and support.
- 2008
Thielert resumes production during insolvency administration[1]
Product generation · Bankruptcy
The administrator announced the restart of production across the diesel-engine range, with the business seeking to preserve its operating capability and customer base.
- 2008
Diamond Aircraft withdraws from acquisition discussions[1]
M&A · Bankruptcy
Diamond Aircraft ended its participation in the bidding process, citing insufficient information for due diligence; Thielert disputed Diamond’s explanation.
Sources1 sources
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