ZF Aftermarket is spearheading the Next Generation Aftermarket

Date:2021-09-18 Source:chinaspv.com

ZF’s holistic one-stop-shop approach reduces complexity for customers
ZF Aftermarket shows data-driven services for autonomous transport systems
Sustainable processes and technologies for a "Green Aftermarket" is a priority

The entire automotive industry is undergoing a transformation towards a data-driven economy in which digital solutions are becoming as important as classic vehicle technology. ZF produces holistic system solutions which allow vehicles to see, think, and act, in order to shape Next Generation Mobility. This enables ZF Aftermarket to anticipate industry challenges; and prepare its partners at an early stage to adapt to changes. Parallel to Automechanika Digital Plus, the company is taking the opportunity to showcase its offering for the Next Generation Aftermarket already now.

Experts group the five core technologies that will shape the future mobility market under the acronym ‘CASES’: Connected, Autonomous, Shared, Electric and Sustainable. Philippe Colpron, Head of ZF's Aftermarket Division, explains: "These technologies have the power to revolutionize our entire industry because they offer a compelling alternative to our current vehicle-centric landscape - while conserving resources and reducing emissions." This Next Generation Mobility is already a reality, in part thanks to ZF products and solutions.

Autonomous Driving – The future has already started

Autonomous Transport Systems (ATS) from ZF have been in use since 1997 - so-called people movers have transported more than 14 million passengers to date. Thanks to their comprehensive equipment which include sensors, driver assistance systems and electric drivelines, together with permanent networking capabilities able to operate with manufacturer and infrastructure, these vehicles could serve as a blueprint for all future passenger cars, vans, and commercial vehicles.

The complexity of these vehicles mean that their operators can no longer rely simply on classic maintenance and repair support from automotive workshops; they also require comprehensive digital support throughout the entire service life. Among many other things, this includes services such as intelligent fleet control, predictive maintenance and over-the-air updates. In this way, the workshop business of the past is evolving into the "Next Generation Aftermarket." This new routine is characterized by increasingly complex vehicles, professionally organized fleet businesses instead of many individual private customers, and new competitors such as e-commerce players.

Mobility as a Service: Preventive and predictive maintenance powered by ZF Aftermarket

In line with ZF’s holistic one-stop-shop approach the business offers a comprehensive product portfolio. This incorporates individual parts such as sensors, driver assistance systems and electric drives as well as software services, preventive and predictive maintenance and repair services. Following the recent acquisition of WABCO, ZF now also offers the leading product and service portfolio for commercial vehicles in the aftermarket.

ZF Aftermarket not only provides services for ATS, but also for other applications that are already in series production or planned: self-driving vans, industrial material handling vehicles, and agricultural machinery. This is where a new market will emerge for ZF's workshop partners in the future.

"Highly efficient, data-driven driverless applications - such as robo-taxis or shuttles - are setting new horizons for mobility. ZF Aftermarket supports the continuous roll-out of CASES vehicles by expanding the infrastructure, but also by offering maintenance services for the software and hardware of these future-oriented applications," comments Philippe Colpron.

The company also passes this experience on to its service partners - for example, in training courses on topics such as driver assistance systems or high-voltage drives. This topic is featured on ZF Aftermarket Live, ZF's online platform which will run parallel to Automechanika Digital Plus.

Electric mobility is already the key for clean and efficient transport

Technological developments offer interesting growth potential for workshops but can only be used if they are prepared for it. The number of hybrid but also battery operated electric models is increasing and with it the need for service and repairs. However, without the correct training, technicians are not allowed to touch an electric or hybrid vehicle; a rule which even applies to simple maintenance work on conventional vehicle components. As a leading manufacturer of products for electric vehicles in OEM quality, ZF leverages its first-hand knowledge to offer the relevant technical skills to its workshop partners in the Aftermarket. With a fully integrated approach ZF’s Aftermarket division makes sure that components built by the ZF group are available to the aftermarket early on – for example the TRW Electric Brake Booster.

Product and system solutions to reduce operating costs and CO2 emissions

ZF Aftermarket’s Fleet Management Solutions contribute to sustainability, but ZF products are also world-leading in terms of efficiency; helping customers to reduce fuel consumption and thus emissions. The global challenge is to achieve climate neutrality along the entire value chain: for all primary products and associated transport routes, but also for the product, the vehicle itself, its use and its disposal. ZF is working towards neutralizing these emissions by 2040. Furthermore, ZF is reducing CO2 emissions across all production steps and processes - for example, by controlling machine tools according to demand or by substituting gas-based processes such as hardening.

As a result, these sustainably manufactured products are available to the aftermarket as one element of ZF’s #greenaftermaket roadmap. Another element is remanufacturing – reducing material requirements by up to 90 percent compared to the manufacture of a new product. At the same time, around 90 percent of energy can be saved. A wide range of vehicle components such as brakes, transmissions, steering systems and torque converters are remanufactured to original equipment quality at more than 20 locations worldwide - and the trend is rising. Furthermore, ZF Aftermarket's experts are already working on remanufactured solutions for electric drives, in readiness for demand.

Philippe Colpron views ZF Aftermarket and its partners to be in a good position at the industry transformation point: "ZF Aftermarket has the ambition to be the green and sustainable Aftermarket frontrunner with aspirational goals in many areas such as carbon neutrality, plastic-free packaging and education. Based on the technology leadership of the ZF Group, ZF Aftermarket brings sustainable OE technologies and approaches to the aftermarket. Our recipe for success is a combination of strong customer focus, service presence exactly where the customer needs it and a steadily growing product and service portfolio including digital solutions. In an increasingly complex world, we want to offer simplicity, convenience and added value at the same time."