LAS VEGAS—As a follow-up to ZF Friedrichshafen A.G.'s $12.4 billion acquisition of TRW Automotive Holdings Corp. in May, the German company has created TRW Aftermarket, a business unit of the newly created ZF TRW division, and unveiled a TRW-branded, all-makes ride-control program at the AAPEX show.
The TRW ride-control program will include shock absorbers, strut and spring assemblies, mounts, dust covers, bump-stops and coil springs. The program will cover 95 percent of the car parc in North America and will be on sale to aftermarket customers in the first half of 2016, ZF said.
TRW Aftermarket already offers a corner module concept to its aftermarket customers in Europe and Asia; the introduction of the TRW ride control program is another step towards completing this offer in North America, adding to the braking and chassis programs already on sale, the company said.
“The TRW-branded ride-control program will encompass the best of both ZF and TRW: our combined engineering prowess, manufacturing skill, technological development and marketing support. The program signals the next step in our development of selected ZF and TRW aftermarket product lines to offer North American customers market-leading ranges which offer comprehensive car parc coverage and are first to market with coverage of new vehicles,” said Mark Thorpe, vice president, TRW Parts & Service North America.
“Combining the original equipment and aftermarket strengths of the two champions sends the clearest message yet that the newly expanded ZF Group is a true global original equipment leader that is also dedicated to serving its aftermarket customers worldwide.”
Prior to the introduction of the TRW-branded ride-control program in North America, ZF Services' aftermarket ride-control program was taken to market under the Sachs brand. The Sachs brand will continue to be available across North America for European OE imports, the company said.
Meanwhile, ZF—originally named Zahnradfabrik G.m.b.H.—is celebrating its centennial. ZF was founded in Friedrichshafen, Germany, in 1915 where the company originally developed, tested and manufactured aircraft transmissions.
Today ZF products are used in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery, rail vehicles and marine applications. The company also is involved in the wind power and electronic components businesses.