GKN China Holding Company Ltd. Business Report FY ended Dec. 2021
R&D Trends
Dedicated to developing eDrive systems to meet the growing demand for electrification
-GKN Automotive announced that it would accelerate development of its next-generation eDrive technologies in response to the increasing demand globally for electrified vehicles. These systems will utilize 800V technologies and are currently in advanced stages of development, with some being tested in real-world conditions. Through the use of 800V technology, future eDrive systems are expected to provide many benefits including faster charging times, improved performance and increased electric range. The development of the next-generation eDrive systems is also supported by GKN’s involvement in Formula E as a partner to Jaguar Racing. GKN Automotive anticipates that developments for Jaguar Racing will likely be available on public vehicles within three years. (From a press release on July 20, 2021)
Newly developed powdered metal materials
-GKN Additive, the 3D printing technology division of GKN, announced that it has successfully employed and enhanced materials similar to DP600, a low-alloy duplex stainless steel widely used in the automotive industry, for additive manufacturing, enabling diverse designs and applications in the automotive and other industrial sectors. The newly developed metal powder materials DPLA (duplex low alloy) and FSLA (free-sintered low alloy) have mechanical properties similar to DP600 (HCT 600 X/C). It meets the requirements of high maximum tensile strength (UTS) and low yield strength to UTS ratio and can be used for laser powder bed fusion (DPLA) and binder jetting (FSLA), respectively. (From a press release on July 1, 2021)
Developed eDrive system and started mass production
-GKN Automotive announced that it is supplying its integrated two-in-one eDrive system, including a first in-house developed eMotor, to an all-electric car now on sale. GKN Automotive’s innovative new system is matched to an inverter and is capable of providing up to 220Nm of instantly-available motor torque, allowing the vehicle to sprint from 0-100km/h (62mph) in 9.0 secs while delivering 320km (199 miles) of zero-emissions driving. The new two-in-one integrated eDrive unit incorporates GKN Automotive’s own 87kW motor and delivers an output torque of 2,100Nm in a package that weighs just 62.5kg (including oil). The two-in-one integrated layout is more compact, lighter, more efficient and more cost effective than electric vehicle systems incorporating separate components. It also features an advanced Electronic Park Lock System (ePLS) that allows the electric axle to provide a park lock feature and function, which alleviates the ancillary system from the foundation brakes. (From a press release on June 23, 2021)
Joint development of 3-in-1 eDrive system with JLR
-GKN Automotive announced that it has developed a three-in-one eDrive system in cooperation with Jaguar Land Rover. The eDrive system, with cutting-edge power density, integrates an 80kW permanent magnet synchronous electric motor, the power electronics, and the fixed-ratio transmission in a co-axial arrangement. It can provide up to 2,900Nm, yet weighs just 77kg. The full system assembly is carried out in-house at GKN Automotive’s joint venture production site in Shanghai. From the very beginning of system definition to subsystem supplier selection, and throughout the whole development and industrialization process, Jaguar Land Rover and GKN Automotive worked very closely together. GKN Automotive has won the prestigious Cooperation category at the 2021 CLEPA Innovation Awards for this product. (From a press release dated November 9, 2021)
R&D Facilities
-GKN has set a technical center in the Kangqiao Plant in Shanghai, which has a complete set of testing equipment for the functions and performance of drive shafts. The laboratories in the center have obtained national certification. As of the end of 2021, the Company has six global technology centers located in the U.S, Germany, UK, India, Japan and China.