The new ZF Aftermarket organization debuts with a powerful product and service portfolio, combined with one-of-its-kind Virtual Reality observation
The new ZF Aftermarket organization will inform, impress, and interact with visitors at Automechanika 2016 in Frankfurt from September 13-17 with over 1 400 square meters of innovative display at Hall 2 (Booth C90) and Hall 3 (Booth A91) where the visitors will have the opportunity to experience technical innovations with ZF’s Advanced Urban Vehicle as well as the digitalization of the automotive future with Openmatics. Along with its expanding aftermarket product portfolio of driveline, chassis, safety, and steering technology of the Sachs, Lemförder, TRW, and Boge product brands, ZF Aftermarket also presents its system competence including service solutions for its business partners – workshops and fleet operators. A 360 degree virtual reality cinema combines multi-dimensional product experience and expertise in a fun and exciting way for the visitors.
ZF Services and TRW Aftermarket, now a single organization named ZF Aftermarket, with its combined expertise of the two organizations presents a range of benefits for the aftermarket customers. This high technical system competence rarely found elsewhere in the international aftermarket allows ZF Aftermarket to offer an attractive range of demand-driven service solutions complementing their spare parts in ZF’s renowned OE quality to increase the professionalism of all market players.
Mobility Innovations in Hall 2 (C90)
As a product highlight, ZF presents its Advanced Urban Vehicle (AUV) which is equipped with intelligently networked chassis, driveline, and driver assistance systems. Using its rear-camera, ultrasound, and infrared sensors, the AUV is capable of surveying the streets for spaces before initiating its Smart Parking Assist function that the driver can even control from outside the vehicle via a smartphone app. An electrically powered rear axle, and a 75 degree steering angle on the front axle for increased manoeuvrability and steering control, exemplify the AUV to the visitors of the Automechanika show, as ZF’s low-emission, agile and safety-forward urban mobility solution for the near future. The visitors also gain an opportunity to experience the diverse applications for ZF’s Openmatics telematics platform for different target groups. For example, in the deTAGtive logistics technology, the smart tags and tag finders transform this data platform into the fleet manager’s trusted partner for remotely monitoring sensitive cargo in transit, also helping to optimize the supply chain in terms of transit duration and fuel consumption.
New value-addition products in Hall 3
The highlight for the Automechanika will be the presentation of the new brand architecture of the ZF Aftermarket organization. The comprehensive portfolio will consist of transmissions and transmission components, axles, steering units and differentials, chassis and steering parts, shock absorbers, drive components, rubber metal parts and the TRW products in the fields of disc brake systems, drum brakes and actuation systems and steering.
Neil Fryer, the Chief Commercial Officer of the ZF Aftermarket organization explains the strategy development: “Strong product brands are the foundation of our business. Hugely valuable to both us and our customers, the major brands: Sachs, Lemförder, TRW, Boge, and Openmatics will form part of our future commercial strategy. We will continue to nurture and promote their individual personalities and these brands will be developed, supported, marketed and sold globally.”
A wide range of products will also be presented in Frankfurt, for example the TRW product portfolio will demonstrate the Corner Module system – braking, steering and suspension systems.
Virtual Reality presentation of ZF Booth
This innovative positioning is brought to live using a 7D experience in the Virtual Reality (VR) Cinema at the booth. The visitors at the show can experience ZF’s expertise via 360 degree videos in a completely new way.
Tailor-made service solutions
At the Automechanika in Hall 3, ZF Aftermarket also presents its portfolio of tailor-made services for workshops and business partners, e.g. remanufacturing, training, and the workshop concept ZF Services [pro]Tech. Since the launch of the workshop concept in April 2012 in Germany, over 5 300 participants continue to profit from ZF’s expertise each year. ZF Services [pro]Tech has also become a success in Great Britain, Austria, Switzerland and Poland and further international rollout is scheduled. Next year all technical information on TRW products will be included in the concept.
Helmut Ernst, Head of the new ZF Aftermarket organization looks even more ahead: “The car is indeed a technical product with numerous mechanical components that need to be serviced. But the digital world has arrived in the workshop. The intelligent networking of diagnostic systems, components or tools allows or requires entirely new maintenance and repair processes. ZF will provide innovative solutions also in this regard and we are also shaping future workshop approaches”
Partnership and Motorsport Success
In addition, ZF will provide the large number of motorsport fans with an insight into racing technology in Hall 3. ZF proves its omnipresence in the royal leagues of motorsports with its display of high-performance components such as clutch modules and shock absorbers applicable for Formula 1 or DTM. It also lets the visitors participate in a race with “Razor’s Crazy Cart XL” in front of Hall 3.
“This year’s Automechanika is a very special one for us”, states Helmut Ernst. “And we want to make it overwhelming for our existing and potential customers. They shouldn’t miss the attractions of our different presentations and of our great team. From my point of view the best team in the aftermarket: competent, inspiring and always committed to satisfy the customer expectations!”