With its Next-Generation Mobility strategy, German manufacturer ZF is working to offer safe, clean and affordable mobility.
ZF is focusing on the creation of new mobility products for the booming Mobility/Transport as a Service sector. Among these is its e.GO People Mover. An electrically-powered minibus, which will be fitted with autonomous-driving features, it will be on the road in the first test fleets in Aachen and Friedrichshafen in autumn 2019.
Earlier this year, ZF announced its majority stake in 2getthere, a Dutch supplier of autonomous electric passenger transportation systems.
“The investment was an important step for us as 2getthere has more than 30 years of experience in the autonomous passenger transport market as well as unique engineering and software skills,” said Wolf-Henning Scheider, CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen.
The automated guided vehicles from 2getthere have already transported more than 14 million passengers in several major cities, harbors and airports around the world – electrically, reliably, and profitably.
In addition to new mobility solutions, ZF is further developing its established products – such as the 8-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars – primarily through electrification. The company recently signed a supply contract with BMW for its enhanced 8-speed automatic transmission including a hybrid variant. This long-term contract represents the largest order of automatic transmissions in ZF’s history.
This year ZF’s electric central drive for passenger cars will also start production with a vehicle manufacturer. The company is seeing strong demand for its electrical portal axle for city buses, and has won several new orders from bus manufacturers.
ZF also revealed plans to acquire WABCO, a leading supplier of braking control systems, technologies and services for the enhancement of safety, efficiency and networking of trucks, buses and trailers.
