Interview Benteler: "Helping Manufacturers to Be Faster to Market"

Kollmeier: We are not just continuously developing a holistically integrated system in the form of the Rolling Chassis. With our system expertise, we offer complete engineering – including defining kinematics, driving behavior, mule and prototype construction. Our customers can choose whether they want to manufacture themselves or have us do it. Benteler develops along the entire system product range: from electrified front and rear axle modules to battery packs. The list is long. Together with our partners, we have recently optimized the interfaces to the e-powertrain, electrics/electronics, and bodywork.

You see, e-mobility is a growth field for us, in which we are specifically investing and expanding with products and services.

Keyword: Mechanical integration of the systems within the Rolling Chassis. From what expertise and components can customers benefit?

Kollmeier: We are a recognized expert in the production of chassis systems, battery modules, and crash and thermal management. Benteler is a leading manufacturer of battery trays. Leveraging our expertise in cooling systems, we have developed a fully modular battery pack that can be integrated into the vehicle body. This includes the aluminum tray, cooling, battery modules, as well as high-voltage cabling and connections. Additionally, we have developed an integrated e-chassis module for the front and rear axles.

What components does it consist of?

Kollmeier: It includes the classic chassis components such as subframes, control arms, and knuckles, as well as the e-motor, steering, and suspension. We have particularly focused on a balanced integration of the e-chassis regarding noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) behavior. It is important to understand that we offer the appropriate expertise and consulting for every development stage in vehicle construction. We can do this not least because of our strategic partnerships – for instance, with Bosch for functional integration or with Vibracoustic for optimized NVH behavior.

So, you place a strong emphasis on strategic partnerships. What are the next steps?

Kollmeier: Together with our partners, we pursue one goal: to advance electromobility. In the long term, we aim to build an ecosystem of partnerships to eventually integrate all the components and parts necessary to build an electric vehicle. With our partners, we thus represent overall vehicle competence. Currently, for example, we are having intensive discussions with a battery manufacturer.

Benteler is known as an automotive supplier and metal specialist. Where is the journey with e-mobility headed, and which segments do you want to occupy in the future?

Kollmeier: We are continuing to intensify the development of lightweight components and will increasingly work according to the modular principle. This way, we offer modular and scalable solutions – so far with a focus on the D-F segment. We are now planning a platform for the B-C segment.

In principle: New models can be brought to market maturity much more efficiently and quickly with our platforms than has been the case so far.

Automakers also benefit from our decades of experience in the market. This allows us to support our customers – whether established manufacturers or start-ups from other industries. Ultimately, we see ourselves as solution providers, bringing electromobility concepts to the road in collaboration with our customers.