For several years, ZF products have remained the preferred choice in driveline, chassis and safety systems – for passenger cars, trucks, buses, off-highway and motorcycles, globally. The company has been a one-stop solution provider that extends tailor-made products even for the aftersales market under its established division, ZF Aftermarket, along with its product brands, ZF, Lemförder, Sachs and TRW.
Today, when the automotive industry is in the midst of transformation with alternative drive concepts, digitalization, connected cars and autonomous driving, leading tomorrows mobility, ZF Aftermarket is well-positioned. Under ZF, it supports the requirement in the areas of parts for transmission, axle for PC, CV and off-road vehicles, oil change kits, lubricants, etc. In Lemförder, the company provides original equipment quality parts for steering and chassis, in Sachs, the ZF aftermarket division offers clutches, dual-mass flywheel, torque converters, actuation systems and shock absorbers and in TRW- innovative braking systems, chassis and steering components and shock absorbers.
Ahead of the Automotive Manufacturers Association of India (ACMA) Automechanika trade fair in New Delhi, we caught up with Mr. Vijay Khorgade, Head of ZF Aftermarket India, to know more about the company’s recent developments in the aftermarket segment and how the opportunities offered by tomorrow’s mobility can be realized. Mr. Khorgade started off: “Staying ahead of the developments enables us to deliver highest quality products and services, which in turn helps our customers maximize their opportunities, overcome their challenges in the aftermarket and stay profitable in the segment.”
Talking about realizing the opportunities offered by digitalization, he explained: “On one hand, it requires a readiness to question familiar business models, identify the potential of vehicle and user data, derive attractive business opportunities and implement them. On the other hand, market participants have to align even more strongly with customer expectations by offering more individualized mobility services.”
Megatrends of mobility
Mr. Khorgade cited an Indian automotive aftermarket study conducted by ACMA, that highlights vehicle telematics among other things as a key trend, which will be major sales generators in the future due to its enormous data generation. The networked workshop of the future will know the status of its customers’ vehicles (remotely) and recommend preventive maintenance or repair to the owner based on current vehicle data. He pointed out: “In India the shared mobility is getting popular day by day, the evolving taxi market with mixed fleets will benefit from the telematics solution; as mixed fleets can be managed and maintained more efficiently. The same benefits can be used by large bus and truck fleet operators.”
In the upcoming show, the company is all poised to showcase its ‘ZF Car Connect’, a new digital service for the mixed fleet operators which will allow them optimally align their fleets. “This telematics and diagnostic unit can read 74 specific signals straight from the vehicle’s OBD interface, including fuel level, braking response and error messages. In addition, the dongles transfer GPS data and the sudden onset of changes in velocity. As ZF Car Connect not only registers but also interprets this data, the platform significantly contributes to driving safety and the optimal steering of fleets,” he shared.
Apart from this the company will introduces Continuous Damping Control (CDC®) shock absorbers under the brand Sachs for high-end European passenger cars in the Indian market for the first time. “Sachs CDC dampers for cars will allow for efficient damping optimization for each wheel within split seconds due to an electronically controlled proportional damping valve. Sensors monitor all influences, from the road condition and payload to the driver’s actions. A control unit then exactly regulates the damping force. This electronic damper control enables maximum stability even in critical situations. The driver benefits from short stopping distances, faster steering responsiveness and more control when changing lanes. In a nutshell, Sachs CDC shock absorbers provide a maximum driving, dynamics and ride comfort”, he revealed.
True to its guiding principle of “see. think. act.”, ZF has the technical competence and range of products to allow vehicles to do just that. ZF Aftermarket takes this philosophy a step further. It not only sees the future challenges that the market faces, but also develops and establishes the appropriate products, service portfolios and workshop concepts. Mr. Khorgade emphasized: “India has huge aftermarket potential due to its growing vehicle demands. It is growing approximately at 8-10 per cent per annum. In 2017, ZF Aftermarket, globally did sales of around €3.0 billion, making it one of the largest automotive aftermarket suppliers worldwide.” By assisting partners with accurate technical know-how and the right products, ZF Aftermarket is setting the pace to realize opportunities in tomorrow’s mobility,” signed off the Aftermarket Head.
With integrated solutions and the entire ZF product portfolio, the ZF Aftermarket Division of ZF Friedrichshafen AG guarantees the performance and efficiency of vehicles throughout their life cycle. Its combination of established product brands, digital innovations, customized products and services, and a worldwide service network has made ZF a sought-after partner and number two in the global automotive aftermarket.