German automotive supplier ZF is showcasing its latest technologies for passenger and commercial vehicles at Auto Shanghai from April 23 to May 2, reinforcing its commitment to China’s rapidly evolving automotive market.
With more than four decades of presence in China, ZF has shifted from simply selling products to innovating within the country for global applications. Holger Klein, CEO of ZF Group, highlighted that leveraging local expertise has enabled the company to drive global advancements. “We have also consistently optimized our production and development processes to the requirements of our Chinese customers and thus literally fulfilled ‘China Speed’, ensuring we stay at the forefront of a highly competitive market,” Klein said.
Among its featured exhibits are the Chassis 2.0 and the new electric range extender system. Designed for the era of electrification, software-defined vehicles, and autonomous driving, Chassis 2.0 integrates cubiX software, enabling seamless coordination of steering, braking, and damping systems with minimal latency.
As the world’s largest chassis supplier, ZF has equipped the Nio ET9 with its latest-generation steer-by-wire system, which began production in the first quarter. It will also supply electromechanical braking technology to a leading global vehicle manufacturer for nearly five million vehicles.
ZF introduced its electric range extender system, set to enter production in the first half of 2026 with Chinese mainstream brands. This compact and cost-efficient solution enhances efficiency for both electric motors and combustion engines, addressing range anxiety while simplifying integration.
Klein emphasised that ZF’s technological leadership and focus on cost optimization are key to remaining competitive in an intense market. The company allocated 6% of its annual revenue in the Asia-Pacific region to research and development last year.
He further stressed China’s role as a major innovation driver, citing consumers’ openness to new technologies and supportive government policies that accelerate electric vehicle adoption.
According to Renee Wang, Executive Vice-President and President of China and Operation Asia Pacific at ZF Group, the company operates over 50 manufacturing sites and five R&D centres in China. ZF invested 3.5 billion euros in the country over the past five years, localizing advanced technologies and exporting Chinese innovations to the global market. Wang added that nearly 100% of ZF’s diversified product lines are sourced locally, and the company aims to achieve full material localization within the next two years.
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