GKN Automotive: E-Axle drive soon in 13 models worldwide

Electric Trend: Plants Are Well Utilized

Currently, the production facilities in Bruneck, South Tyrol, which are completely powered by hydroelectricity, and in China are operating at the edge of their capacity limit. Next year, up to 300,000 additional systems can be produced annually, as Kesselgruber emphasized. We are talking about scalable solutions with larger volumes here, and no longer niche products. The electric drive has become dominant in recent years, so the transformation is seen less as a threat and more as an opportunity. The company might be less "sensitive" here compared to some competitors, Kesselgruber hinted. Especially since the existing business, also pushed by the increased sales of PHEV vehicles, still represents a solid base. In India, they plan an expansion in cooperation with Tata Technology and are significantly increasing capacities, particularly in the software sector.

Forecast: BEV Will Prevail in Volume

The focus is clearly on high-voltage drives, which Kesselgruber believes will prevail in the coming years. However, they also play in the low-voltage segment. Generally, the trend in the volume sector is towards battery-electric vehicles, as they offer by far the highest efficiency. Worldwide CO2 regulations are also aiming in this direction. Kesselgruber sees significance for the hydrogen drive only in long-distance or heavier applications. The simplest, most cost-effective, best, and most efficient solution will prevail, and he sees the integrated electric axle drive in a strong position due to its greatly reduced component complexity. He also pointed to the rapid development in battery technology. Kesselgruber does not view the issue of charging infrastructure as dramatically as it is sometimes portrayed today. He points out that many vehicles remain stationary for long periods during the day and that a DC connection is not needed in every garage, often the existing grid structure suffices.