(April 11, 2011)

further expansion of workforce by 1,500 employees
use of innovative technology for modern mobility in China
- optimisation of drive train incorporating a combustion engine
- solutions for hybrid vehicles
- solutions relating to electromobility
intensified cooperation with Chinese manufacturers

In the run up to Auto Shanghai 2011, which will take place from the 19th to the 28th of April, the focus is on the automotive sector in China, which is marked for growth. This growth is also being shaped by Schaeffler. "We are already in the process of expanding and developing further production capacity”, explains Wolfgang Dangel, CEO of Schaeffler Asia, “which, of course, means that we are increasing our workforce as well. As a result, we will be appointing 1,500 new employees this year“.

Schaeffler is firmly established in Asia. The company opened its first branch in Hong Kong over 20 years ago and has been represented by production plants in China since 1998. Today, Schaeffler runs five factories in China, as well as a Research and Development Centre which is integrated into the global development network. Schaeffler is providing for regional growth in Asia and, in particular, for rising employee numbers in China. In addition to the employees in the manufacturing plants, a steady rise is also being seen in the number of engineers, sales employees and executive staff from the region.

"China is not only driven by increasing volumes, but is also evolving into a market with extremely high technical standards. The optimisation of the drive train in vehicles incorporating combustion engines is of great significance. The fact that millions of Chinese road users already have hands-on experience of electromobility is also of interest – even if this has primarily been in the form of Pedelecs and electric scooters“, explains Dr. Peter Pleus, President of Schaeffler Group Automotive. "In terms of optimising the classic drive train incorporating a combustion engine, increasing options for variation in the valve train, combined with supercharging and direct injection, constitute the key to downsizing and downspeeding“, comments Dr. Peter Pleus. "Our wide range of camshaft phasing units and valve train components is just one area which is gaining in importance in this regard“.

In line with this, Schaeffler will be displaying a wide range of innovative products for modern mobility at Auto Shanghai 2011. The technical solutions involved not only extend to the optimisation of drive trains incorporating combustion engines but also cover hybrid applications and innovations relating to electric mobility. Schaeffler is also finding itself on course for growth in the world’s largest growing vehicle market. The delivery programs of Chinese customers, who until now have been primarily represented by the domestic market, are also expanding significantly and parallel to the increase in activities performed by globally operating vehicle manufacturers. In view of the increasing statutory emission requirements which also apply in China, Schaeffler is again one of the dedicated partners of the automotive industry in this market. The swift implementation of tighter emission guidelines is inevitably leading to technological advancements which require expert suppliers to incorporate their experiences from other regions of the world into the development of vehicles and, in particular, drives. Finally, Schaeffler and its product brands INA, LuK and FAG provide innovative solutions for reducing fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. In terms of energy efficiency and the optimisation of combustion engines, Schaeffler is not only looking to a tradition which is deeply anchored in the company’s DNA, but also drawing on its equally marked strengths in innovation.

Innovative gearbox solutions, such as the dry twin clutch, are also enjoying great popularity in China alongside key components for energy-efficient engines. China is currently the world’s second largest market for twin clutch gearboxes, after Europe. The sharp rise in the spread of this modern gearbox technology was originally driven by increasing demand and the expanded product range of vehicles produced in China by German and European manufacturers as well. Dry twin clutches, as key components for highly efficient gearboxes, have however long been the focus of Chinese car manufacturers. Almost all local vehicle manufacturers take great interest in dual clutches as an alternative to automatic gearboxes.

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