- A first in the spare parts market: modular passenger car shock absorber
- Three individual trade fair displays for a wide range of target groups
- Interactive product experience generates value added for stand visitors
Five days full of innovation, information, and interaction: At the Automechanika in Frankfurt on September 16-20, 2014, ZF Services showcases its products and services on a total display area of more than 1 000 square meters. In Halls 3 (Stand A91) and 9 (Stand D38) as well as in the “Agora” outdoor display area, visitors have the opportunity to experience the driveline, chassis, and steering technology of the Sachs, Lemförder, ZF Lenksysteme, and ZF Parts product brands first-hand – some of it even interactively. First of all a new shock absorber, initially developed by ZF for the spare parts market. Complementing all product innovations, the company’s technological, repair, and service expertise will also be on display. In addition, contests such as the ZF Services Race and the ZF Puzzle, or even a repair show which provides insight into exclusive contents from workshop training courses, will fill the trade fair with exciting moments.
Visitors at the Automechanika 2014 looking for tailor-made aftermarket solutions will find what they need at a total of seven different presentation points by ZF Services. At Stand A91 in Hall 3, the focus will be placed on the comprehensive portfolio of spare parts in OE quality. The ZF quality will not only be perceptible directly through the product, but through various digitally animated presentation formats. In Hall 9, Stand D38, and in the outdoor display area, the aftermarket expert will concentrate on workshop concepts and services as well as repair.
Innovations, foresight, and motorsports
As a product highlight, a modularly designed shock absorber model range for passenger cars in the subcompact car segment will celebrate its premiere in Frankfurt. This technical innovation which can do without welding seams was initially developed by ZF for use in the aftermarket. Volume production is scheduled for a later point in time. A separate presentation point addressing automotive lightweight construction will provide one example of how the company benefits from the know-how of the entire ZF Group when it comes to future key technologies in the spare parts market.
In addition, ZF Services will provide the large number of motorsport fans with an insight into racing technology: High-performance components such as clutches for Formula 1 or DTM and shock absorbers for the World Rally Championship (WRC) prove that ZF products are omnipresent in the royal leagues of motorsports. With a little luck and skill, visitors participating in the ZF Services Race, an interactive, gesture-controlled auto race, will have the chance to experience this live: The first prize is a VIP weekend at the WRC in Finland.
Sustainability and partnership
At the Automechanika in Hall 3, ZF Services will also showcase its remanufacturing expertise, which has been in high demand for many years. In automobile spare parts markets worldwide, the share of remanufactured units is growing – and so is the presence of ZF Services: Today, as many as 15 locations around the globe are already dedicated to industrial remanufacturing. The portfolio of remanufactured products ranges from clutches and torque converters to drives and steering systems – for deployment in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, or even off-road machinery. In addition, there is the CoremanNet core return system for used parts, operated together with Bosch, through which used parts can be returned with a certain deposit value.
Workshop concept with value added
At its second Automechanika stand (Hall 9, D38), ZF Services presents its portfolio of tailor-made services for workshops. An essential factor of their success are the training courses offered: Technical trainers from ZF Services share their comprehensive practical know-how with the workshops – from driveline, chassis, and steering systems to high-voltage systems. In 2013 alone, more than 10 000 training participants worldwide profited from ZF Services’ know-how. Moreover, these training courses are an integral part of the very popular ZF Services ProTech workshop concept. After its launch in Germany in April 2012, ZF Services has meanwhile also successfully introduced the concept in Great Britain, Austria, and Switzerland. Another international rollout is also scheduled. With its assembly show in the “Agora” outdoor display area (in front of Hall 3), ZF Services offers all trade fair visitors the opportunity to get an insight into the training module about automatic passenger car transmissions. Visitors can participate in this compact training session free of charge and with no need to book in advance.
Committed to the industry
In addition, ZF Services constantly takes part in activities which are designed to raise the profile of the industry as a whole. At this year’s Automechanika, these activities include knowledge competitions, the parts manufacturer campaign “Quality is Value Added”, and the “Automechanika Workshop Days 2014”, which were initiated by the Free Spare Parts Market Association (VREI e.V.).
“Our displays at this leading trade show underline that ZF Services is consistently boosting its strengths at a global level, with a comprehensive product portfolio from a single source and services that offer a clear value added to our customers and partners,” says Alois Ludwig, Chairman of the Board of Directors, ZF Services. “Our modular shock absorber impressively demonstrates that we also lead the way in terms of innovations.”
