Modern consumers purchasing new-generation vehicles have come to view a sporty yet comfortable driving experience and low emission statistics for CO2 and other harmful substances as standard requirements. A promising solution to implement these requirements is the so called start-stop-system that shuts down the engine when the vehicle is at a standstill. In order to ensure a optimal performance, the vehicles continuously needs information about the adjustment travel of the hydraulic actuating cylinders. Here, the newest innovation of LuK GmbH & Co. oHG, a clutch cylinder with sensor, takes action. This product started successfully in serial production at Volkswagen and also promises huge potential for other car manufacturers.

The Schaeffler Group is preparing the expansion of its manufacturing capacity in North America for its multiple award-winning UniAir product, which is the world’s first continuously variable hydraulic valve train system. The UniAir valve train actuator, invented by Fiat Powertrain Technologies and developed and produced under licence by the Schaeffler Group, is a key component of the Fiat Powertrain Technologies MultiAir* system, which made its debut in the middle of 2009 with introduction of the Alfa MiTo 1.4 MultiAir.

Record breaker Rainer Zietlow has set out on another great journey. With his “EcoFuel Transamerica Tour” through South and North America, he is continuing his circumnavigation of the globe in a natural-gas-powered Volkswagen Caddy. This stage is a very special pan-American trip.

Ford has designated the Schaeffler Group as its “Supplier of the Year 2009” in the “Powertrain” sector in South America. The award was presented during a supplier event organized by Ford in Sao Bernardo do Campo in Brazil.

It has now been three decades since a pack of sporty Volkswagen Iltis all-terrain vehicles raced on their way to victory during the 1980 Dakar Rally, at the time still a new event. The Iltis (German for the European polecat) had become well-known in Germany because of its use in the German military, and Volkswagen and Audi engineers took advantage of the all-terrain vehicle’s rally start to develop what is today its legendary Quattro drive. And this victorious rally operation also marks a highly successful time for engineers of the Schaeffler Group. The 1980 Dakar Rally is generally regarded as the beginning of the throttle valve bearing, a machine component that the Schaeffler Group has produced millions of and holds several patents for.

Maria-Elisabeth Schaeffler, Owner, Dr. Peter Pleus, President of Schaeffler Group Automotive (present in place of Norbert Indlekofer), Dr. Christoph Löffel, Head of the Ball Screw Drive Product Line as well as the Plant Manager for the Herzogenaurach location, Peter Wirkner, all took part in a ceremony to celebrate the one-millionth ball screw drive for electromechanical steering systems to leave the Schaeffler Group’s fully automated production facility.

The Schaeffler Group will present the CO2ncept-10% vehicle at the ATZ/MTZ Congress focusing on “Friction Reduction in the Powertrain” to be held on December 9-10 in Esslingen. CO2ncept-10% is an advance development project that was carried out jointly by Porsche and the Schaeffler Group and involved the use of novel and optimized components to achieve an overall reduction of ten percent in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.