Interesting topics, exciting projects, unique encounters – 2019 had many special moments in store for MAHLE. Here is a small selection.

Making a pit stop at MAHLE: as part of his official visit to Slovenia, German Federal President Frank-Walter Steinmeier visits our location in Bovec with the President of the Republic of Slovenia, Borut Pahor, to find out about the MAHLE Group’s activities in the field of electronics. Dr. Jörg Stratmann, MAHLE’s CEO, takes the two guests on a tour of the plant and hosts a discussion.

MAHLE increases its holding in the former joint venture MAHLE Letrika Roots India, now MAHLE Electric Drives India, from 50 to 90 percent and further expands its position as a systems provider for alternative drive concepts. MAHLE develops and produces electric traction motors and control units in India for the country’s promising new market segments of two- and three-wheelers.

At the prestigious CLEPA Innovation Awards 2019, the European Association of Automotive Suppliers recognizes the electric air conditioning compressor from MAHLE, which is the beating heart of the air conditioning and refrigerant circuit in electric vehicles. MAHLE’s product prevails in a strong field of 63 competitors to win the prize in the Environment category.

Through the acquisition of the transmission specialist ZG-Zahnräder und Getriebe GmbH, based in Eching, near Munich/Germany, MAHLE is further developing its expertise in the powertrain as a whole and expanding its know-how to include the transmission, a key component. This is significant because the trend in electric vehicles is toward integrated drive systems.

MAHLE embarks on a path toward becoming a supplier of wireless charging technology for electric vehicles and acquires a license package to use WiTricity’s magnetic resonance technology. With this addition to its product portfolio, MAHLE gains a crucial element for the long-term acceptance and expansion of e‑mobility. The solution will enable fast, reliable, and extremely efficient charging – a new technology with strong market potential.

MAHLE bolsters its research and development (R&D) operations in China and plans a technology center in Changshu. This will pool existing and future R&D activities for the combustion engine as well as e‑mobility and build up further expertise in systems development. MAHLE has a strong R&D team in China, which develops innovative solutions for its customers and consistently implements MAHLE’s dual strategy.

MAHLE develops an air-conditioned child’s car seat in collaboration with a leading manufacturer in the sector. The product is expected to be available from specialist retailers in 2020. The idea behind the innovation was to allow even the youngest passengers to enjoy comfortable temperatures – in every season. To this end, the MAHLE corporate start-up Com4Kids has developed a compact module that is integrated into a child’s car seat to provide pleasant warmth in the winter and natural cooling in the summer. There is interest from the wholesale trade, and the response following initial tests is also promising.

In 2019, MAHLE is delighted to receive around 85 awards from customers and partners. These include awards for outstanding quality and for outstanding innovations and technologies.