ZF Aftermarket drives complete solutions provider message

ZF Aftermarket used this year’s Automechanika, Birmingham to highlight how its global technological power positions it as a complete ‘solutions provider’ to the current and future aftermarket.

In addition to introducing a UK audience to ZF’s Advanced Urban Vehicle technologies, the business offered a virtual reality garage tour illustrating its parts & service brand portfolio: Sachs, Lemförder, TRW, Boge and Openmatics and showcased how its technical training concept ZF Services [pro]Tech will future proof global garages.

The business joined more than 800 exhibitors from across the automotive aftermarket and supply chain to welcome in excess of 12,000 visitors to Automechanika, UK. It’s reported that the three day event, held from 6th -8th June, at the NEC in Birmingham was 70 percent bigger than the 2016 event. From an impressive, centrally positioned stand, ZF Aftermarket highlighted how with the backing of the innovative technology of the ZF Group it is a complete solutions provider, best placed and fully committed to serving the aftermarket of today and the future with its parts & services.

IAM Manager UK, France & Benelux, ZF Aftermarket, Stephen Willis explained: “Automechanika Birmingham provided the perfect platform for us to introduce ZF’s Advanced Urban Vehicle to a UK audience. This was well received by visitors who appreciated the opportunity to witness the new and future technology first hand. Furthermore, it offered the aftermarket a tangible link to the technology by highlighting exciting future possibilities.

“In our position as a global technology leader, it’s our intention to continue to complement our full part portfolio with a range of technologies and services which will help future proof and support the aftermarket of the future.”

ZF’s Advanced Urban Vehicle is a concept study which demonstrates solutions already feasible for urban individual transport in the compact and subcompact segments. Illustrating: existing networking vehicle technologies and systems; how those functions interact with the driver, his behavior and the environment, and the growing possibilities of accessing data from anywhere using cloud connectivity.

The study incorporated: ZF’s cloud-based PreVision Cloud Assist driver assistance function; the multifunction steering wheel featuring a display with OLED technology and the Hands ON/OFF Detection (HOD) which offers assistance and automated driving functions to reduce the driver’s workload – such as in urban traffic.

Alongside this, the study marks a starting point from which concepts for future urban mobility can be derived specifically in the businesses chosen areas of expertise: chassis, driveline and driver assistance systems. An example of this is the ability for the vehicle to park itself; saving driver time and maximizing space in cities where it is at a premium.

ZF Aftermarket received record numbers of visitors to its exhibition stand, with both customers and suppliers praising the use of innovative technology to highlight the future opportunities and commitments to the aftermarket.

Craig McCracken from Autoparts UK commented: “There is lot of noise across the industry about future technology but for many in the aftermarket it seems a world away from the actual parts we have to sell. To witness how ZF envisages the ways in which this technology will support the aftermarket of the future – such as part innovation & cloud use – was enlightening and reassuring.”
The business used Virtual Reality (VR) allowing visitors to experience a journey through a garage, highlighting parts from the brand portfolio.

Kevin Price, UK marketing manager, ZF Aftermarket explained: “This was a great way for customers to experience how our brands and their respective parts work in harmony; in the garage, in the vehicle and within the individual systems.

“By wrapping this up in the ZF Services [pro]Tech concept – which provides independent workshops with technical support and training to future proof their businesses – this exercise put the concept of the ‘One Stop Shop from ZF Aftermarket into context and allowed visitors to see the bigger picture.”