The company, which started its activities in 1880 under the name of "Morse Equalizing Spring Company", was named BORGWARNER in 1928. The company was known as the best supplier of "Warner Gear" over speed units for cars from the 1930s to the 1970s. The Warner Gear name was still used in marine and industrial transmissions supplied by BORGWARNER in the 1980s under the trade name 'Velvet Drive'. Production of "Velvet Drive" was transferred to Regal-Beloit Corporation in 1995 trading as "Velvet Drive Transmissions." 

In the 21st century, the company changed the style of its name from Borg-Warner to BORGWARNER. BORGWARNER became the main supplier of turbochargers for the Volkswagen Group since 1999 and for the Peugeot, Ford and Renault brands since 2002 and then the new 1.8T power supply used BORGWARNER K Series turbochargers exclusively for these brands. Lastly, BORGWARNER acquired the DELPHI brand in 2020.