Newly-installed ZF CEO, Wolf-Henning Scheider says the supplier is positioning itself to address electromobility penetration of up to 40% by 2030 as the shift from conventional fuels gathers pace.
Scheider – at the helm of the US$36bn (US$44bn) company for just 45 days after his move as chairman and CEO of Mahle – made his observation at the annual results day in the company’s headquarters in Friedrichshafen on the shores of Lake Constance where he unveiled 2017 EBIT rising from EUR2.2bn to EUR2.3bn. Sales increased 3.6% to EUR36.4bn.
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“The strength of our business in electromobility depends on customer acceptance of electromobility – there are some questions which have not been solved yet,” said Scheider. “Will that be possible to replace internal combustion engines with batteries? I am not so sure.
“I am expecting electrification worldwide for 2030, so completely electric driving [of] 30%, [while] we expect 40% as a second scenario. This is what we prepare for. At ZF we have one big advantage; our transmission is becoming electric transmission. In the next couple of years, plug-in hybrid as we see it right now, will be quite successful.
“We, of course, will advance this technology because we believe in plug-in hybrid. The battery vehicle has the problem of range and batteries are quite heavy – they are not ideal. It is not ideal to have 800kg – it is not the best for efficiency. This is why plug-in hybrid is the best solution and I am sure it will be attractive for the next ten to 20 years.”
As well as highlighting its vision for plug-in hybrid, Scheider also showcased ZF’s new CeTrax central drive e-mobility for buses, which can be integrated into existing vehicle platforms. CeTrax can be combined with single rear drive axles and conventional low-floor axles, meaning it can be installed in low-entry and low-floor buses.
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By GlobalDataOn display also were the supplier’s Sound.AI system to detect external noises such as fire engine sirens and the Rinspeed Snap mobility concept vehicle which drives autonomously and electrically.
“This year we will [also] introduce the first pure electric drive and experience from our transmissions – that is a great starting point [while] this year we will produce six-digit figures of motors,” added Scheider. “Of course we do much more than electromobility, but this will characterise the upcoming years.”
Scheider’s appointment comes after the rapid departure of former CEO, Stefan Sommer, who some speculated disagreed on future policy with the Zeppelin Foundation administered by the city of Friedrichshafen and which holds 93.8% of ordinary shares.
“Of course I can’t talk about the past – you might understand I was not here,” noted the new ZF chief, who also lists Bosch as well as Mahle on his CV. “I want to talk about the future,” he added.
ZF described Sommer’s swift exit at the end of last year as “separation by consensus.”
