Schaeffler Group (China) Business Report FY ended Dec. 2015
New Plant
-Schaeffler AG announced that it will invest in a new production base in Xiangtan, Hunan Province, China, with a view to expanding the company's production capacity in Greater China and better serving customers in both the domestic and international markets. The first phase of the project will occupy a total area of around 20 hectares and the first plant, which will manufacture automotive parts and precision bearings, is scheduled to enter operation by the end of 2018. In the future, Phase II of the project will involve the construction of a second plant, a logistics center and a training facility. (From a press release on August 18, 2016)
-Schaeffler AG announced that its Nanjing Plant will start producing truck wheel bearings later this year. Its annual production volume is expected to reach 500,000 units. (From news releases issued by multiple sources on June 9, 2015)
Off the Production Line
-The one-millionth hydraulic torque converter manufactured by Schaeffler in China has rolled off the assembly line at the company's Taicang Plant No.3. Schaeffler began manufacturing LuK brand products in China in 2006, and is now able to supply manual transmission clutches, wet/dry double clutches, clutch release systems, dual mass flywheels, and hydraulic torque converters from China. (From a press release on July 18, 2016)
-Recently, the 5 millionth clutch of Schaeffler China was produced at the Taicang factory. Taicang Plant III provides clutches for many domestic OEMs like Changan Automobile, GAC, Great Wall Motors, and also serves Japan and South Korea markets. (From a press release on November 9, 2015)
Strategic Alliance
-Recently, Schaeffler Group signed strategic cooperation agreements with anyang Explosion Protection Group Co. Ltd. (CNE) and Shandong Huali Electric Motor Group Co., Ltd. (Huali Group), to jointly develop the Chinese electric motor market. It is the first time Schaeffler signed strategic cooperation with Chinese motor suppliers. ((From a press release on April 28, 2015)
New Product
-Schaeffler AG has developed the concept car Schaeffler Efficient Future Mobility China, relying on a P2 hybrid system. P2 means that the electric motor is located between engine and transmission, and a dedicated hybrid clutch disconnects the combustion engine during electric drive. Other concept car powertrain components include an efficient Schaeffler double clutch transmission and a 3-cylinder 1.0L turbocharged engine. These replace the 4-cylinder 1.6L engine and automatic transmission present in the base vehicle, a Changan Eado 2013 sedan model. (From a press release on April 19, 2015)
R&D Center
-The Company has R&D center in Anting, Shanghai.
R&D Cooperation
-Schaeffler Group signed a cooperation agreement to establish a joint research laboratory with Southwest Jiaotong University (SWJTU) in China in May. The joint SWJU-Schaeffler research laboratory will be located in the National Key Laboratory for Traction Drives and will be dedicated to the research and development of axle bearings for rail vehicles. (From a press release on May 23, 2016)