Efficient Future Mobility: Schaeffler Shows Solutions for Reducing Fuel Consumption and Meeting CAFE Standards in Detroit

DETROIT and HERZOGENAURACH, Germany, Jan. 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Schaeffler, a developer and pioneer of modern efficient mobility, will demonstrate its product innovations for engines, transmissions and chassis applications during the 2013 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in January in Detroit. Schaeffler is participating as a sponsor and exhibitor for the eighth consecutive year. The company's almost 4,000 square-footexhibition space is located in room W2-60 and is open to journalists and invited guests.

The Schaeffler product range focuses on optimizing drive trains based on internal combustion engines, as well as technologies for hybrid and electric vehicles. Schaeffler's solutions make a critical contribution to helping automotive manufactures comply with the fuel consumption and emission regulations required in the 2020 and 2025 Corporate Average Fuel Economy regulations.

During a press conference on Monday, January 14 at 7 a.m. (ET), Dr. Juergen M. Geissinger, CEO of Schaeffler AG, Prof. Peter Gutzmer, CTO of Schaeffler AG, and Bruce Warmbold, President and CEO of Schaeffler North America, will provide a company overview, update on the latest innovations and insight into Schaeffler's role in the North American automotive community. The press conference will take place in the company's product booth in room W2-60 immediately after the VDA press conference (The German Association of the Automotive Industry) press conference.

"In view of the increasingly stringent standards, automotive manufacturers must look for new ways of integrating modern components and solutions into drive trains of conventional and next generation vehicles," explains Warmbold. "As a leading provider of next-generation solutions for drive trains, it is our commitment to develop and implement technologies that help our customers meet the requirements of the automotive industry of the future."

During the press conference, Schaeffler will present different components and systems in the "mobile development platform" of its Efficient Future Mobility North America demonstration vehicle. The concept vehicle is based on a current mid-size SUV that is popular in North America and – as is the case with the majority of North American vehicles – features an automatic transmission with a torque converter.

"The solutions on display take the market-specific demands and customer requirements in North America into account," explains Warmbold.

The Schaeffler innovations integrated in the Efficient Future Mobility North America vehicle include: engine start-stop solutions customized for vehicles with torque converter automatic transmissions; an innovative, individually adaptable thermal management module; and an all-wheel drive (AWD) disconnect clutch system for minimizing friction losses in the drive trains of AWD vehicles. Overall, these solutions enable an additional improvement in fuel efficiency of up to 15 percent.

NAIAS is one of the world's most important automotive trade shows and marks the start of the New Year for the automobile industry. It will be opening its doors for the media and industry participants on Monday, January 14, 2013. The show is open to the public from Saturday, January 19 through Sunday, January 27, 2013. More information is available at www.naias.com.

With its product brands INA, LuK and FAG, Schaeffler is a leading provider of rolling and plain bearing solutions, and linear and direct drive technology, as well as a renowned supplier of high-precision products and systems for engines, transmissions and chassis applications to the automotive industry. The global group of companies generated sales of approximately 10.7 billion Euro in 2011. With approximately 76,000 employees worldwide, Schaeffler is one of the largest German and European industrial companies in family ownership. With 180 locations in more than 50 countries, Schaeffler has a worldwide network of manufacturing locations, research and development facilities, sales companies, engineering offices and training centers.

To serve the North American automotive market, Schaeffler operates development centers in: Troy, Mich.; Fort Mill, S.C.; Wooster, Ohio; and Puebla, Mexico. The company's 400 North American engineers and technicians, who are supported by a team of more than 5,500 global engineers, drive development in the region utilizing state-of-the-art test and measurement equipment, computational tools and CAD systems. Schaeffler Automotive has headquarters in Fort Mill and manufacturing facilities in: South Carolina; Missouri; Ohio; Ontario, Canada; Puebla and Irapuato, Mexico. For more information, please visit www.schaeffler.us.

SOURCE Schaeffler