Electric technology and micro-vehicles are the main trends in future transportation. To help this growing market and further advance technological advances, ZF has formed joint ventures with Magura, Brake Force One (BFO) and Unicorn Energy. Dr. Stefan Sommer, CEO of ZF, explained: "Our goal is to redefine the electric technology of the second, third and fourth round of micro-vehicle segmentation through this joint venture. †Carbon Steel Plate,Mild Carbon Steel Plate,Mild Steel Plate,Astm 283 Grade Carbon Steel Plate Shandong Great Steel Co.,Ltd , https://www.great-steel.com
The joint venture is located in Tübingen, Germany, and ZF is its largest shareholder with a 48% stake. Other partners' expertise covers two-wheeler parts technology and services (Magura and BFO) and battery technology (Unicorn Energy). ZF is continuing to establish cooperation agreements with external partners and experts in other fields. For this purpose, ZF established Zukunft Ventures GmbH in September 2016 and is headquartered in Friedrichshafen, Germany. The company has a clear mission – to invest in companies that are actively developing ZF-related technologies. As a result, these smaller, well-equipped companies are supported by such powerful partners as ZF. In return, more sustainable technologies will be integrated into ZF's product portfolio, making ZF a stronger competitive advantage.
ZF believes that the future of micro-vehicles has great potential, and this applies equally to the transportation of people and goods. Research shows that by 2030, the use of light electric vehicles will see strong growth, especially for the logistics industry in the city center.
The new joint venture is ideal for serving this micro-vehicle market. Dr. Stefan Sommer said: “The new joint venture combines the forward-looking competitive advantages of each partner – high levels of innovation, speed, global automotive production and first-class sales and service expertise.â€
The joint venture's goals include developing, manufacturing and selling related products and technologies for the electric mobility market. And plans to propose the first solution this summer. Close collaboration between project partners will streamline the collaborative process and accelerate the completion of new projects.
Margula CEO Ralph Berndt explains: “In the past few decades, our innovative braking system has played an important role in the evolution of bicycles, especially mountain bikes. We have extensive electric technology expertise and are with Magenwirth Technology Group maintains a strong partnership, and the new joint venture will use electric technology to help us create a new dimension of development."
BFO CEO Frank Stollenmaier added: "We work together to share our complementary technical expertise to develop products for the growing electric mobility market."
Electric technology is covered in the Unicorn Energy portfolio. The CEO of Unicorn Energy said: "Our core competency lies in the development and standardization of battery systems. The technology focuses on infrastructure construction, energy management and communications. This is where our products can be used across the industry in mobile and stationary batteries. The reason is that through this joint venture, Unicorn Energy will leverage its technical expertise to meet the complex needs of electric technology."
ZF's traditional strength lies in the drive solution for light vehicles. For example, the torpedo-locking hub developed by ZF's predecessor, Fichtel & Sachs, helped bicycle brakes, which was a global success in the early 20th century and set the industry standard, a trend that continued into the 1980s. As early as the 1930s, Sachs also supplied bicycle-assisted motors, which were selling rapidly, especially in the 1950s, with sales reaching millions. In 2001, ZF officially acquired the business of Saxophone from Mannesmann.