Automotive technology has reached a point where electronics and connectivity are being handed a greater role than ever before to both oversee and take control of consequential systems which can help increase efficiency and decrease the likelihood of driver error and the chance of a crash. ZF invited Car India to Germany to show us just how far things have progressed.
Story: Jim Gorde
Photography: ZF
‘The Power of 2‘ (squared): that’s the mantra which Zahnradfabrik (ZF) Friedrichshafen AG are set to keep in focus after 100 years of motion and mobility. The company, whose name literally translates into ‘toothed wheel manufacturer’ or ‘gear factory’ in more relevant terms, began operations in 1915, manufacturing powertrains and steering systems.
What better way for a leading automotive component maker to celebrate 100 years of existence than by expanding their empire to include another leading component manufacturer. With the acquisition of TRW, ZF now have a comprehensive umbrella of mechanical, electronic and electro-mechanical components to further efficiency and functionality of all kinds of automobiles. Success has come for the companies separately and now, together, they will be a force to be reckoned with. In 2014, the proforma sales were €31.4 billion: €18.4 billion coming from ZF and €13.0 billion from TRW. They have bases in 230 locations spread across 40 countries, with 1,34,000 employees working around the world. ZF have already begun integrating TRW in a three-phase process, which will reach completion over the next three to five years.
Innovation and implementation are high on the burner. The offerings showcased in Berlin are truly eye-opening, with the possibility of real-world application taking practicality, efficiency and safety up several notches. The distribution of parts and system components is varied and ZF finds place in some of the most exalted names in the automotive industry: Audi, BMW, FIAT, Honda, Jaguar, Land Rover, Jeep, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Porsche, and Volkswagen, among many others.
The world is changing and so is the focus of the automotive industry. With the sheer number of people populating the earth, and the share of them now driving cars, there has been a shift in focus from performance and large engines to smaller, more efficient units with automatic transmissions and advanced safety features to cope with increasing traffic and, in some countries, decreasing traffic sense. Safety and efficiency are priorities for every major car manufacturer, as is automated driving; taking away some responsibilities from the human in the car, to improve overall efficiency and reduce the chance of driver error.
ZF had a number of examples to demonstrate their technology, which we got to experience and drive across batches in three categories: Efficiency, Safety and Automated Driving. To top it off, ZF had the ADAC Linthe circuit set up for us to do that in the best way possible. Here’s what went down.
