Nexteer output reaches 40 million EPS systems

Some 40 millionth electric power steering (EPS) systems have been manufactured by Nexteer Automotive, a global leader in intuitive motion control.

The production milestone signifies a shift in industry demand for lateral control systems offering greater fuel efficiencies; tailored, tuneable driving experiences; as well as enabling advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) features.

The company, headquartered in Auburn Hills, Michigan, USA, claims to be the first steering supplier to introduce Brushless Motor Controlled Column Assist EPS (CEPS) in 1999 for Fiat and Volkswagen in Europe.

It has since grown its portfolio to include Brush Motor Controlled C-EPS, Single and Dual Pinion Assist and Rack Assist variants tailored to the global marketplace. 

As a core technology, Nexteer’s EPS product line accounts for 62 per cent of the company’s revenue, growing 22 per cent (comparing the first half of 2015 to the first half of 2016) and significantly contributing to the company’s $24 billion business backlog according to the company’s 2016 interim results.

Since January 2013, Nexteer has doubled its EPS production numbers in response to greater global demand. Latest benefits include enabling ADAS features such as lane keeping, pull compensation, park assist, active damping, stability control enhancements, active return, road shake reduction and variable effort steering.

Nexteer’s EPS systems use a combination of electric motors, actuators, sensors and controllers to provide reliable steering control in all driving conditions. Consequently, the company claims its EPS system reduces fuel consumption by up to 6 per cent and CO₂ emissions by up to 8g/km.

In 2010, Nexteer introduced a 12-volt EPS system, the first of its kind, for the full-size truck segment. Today, the company supplies 9 out of 10 full-size trucks in the US market. The company credits its EPS growth in part due to its in-house ownership of design, manufacturing and validation as well as providing OEMs with steering systems that integrate seamlessly and achieve goals for efficiency, weight reduction and ADAS feature compatibility.

Nexteer Automotive specialises in global steering and driveline business delivering electric and hydraulic power steering systems, steering columns, driveline systems as well as advanced driver assist systems (ADAS) and autonomous technologies for original equipment manufacturers.

The company employs over 13,000 and serves more than 50 customers in every major region of the world. The company has 22 manufacturing plants, five regional engineering centres and 11 customer service centres strategically located in North and South America, Europe and Asia. Nexteer Automotive’s customers include BMW, Fiat Chrysler, Ford, GM, PSA Group, Toyota, and VW, as well as automakers in India and China.

Nexteer last month opened a new manufacturing plant in Pune, India. Pune takes its place as Nexteer’s third manufacturing plant in India – joining plants in Bangalore and Gurgaon. Customers in India include Tata Motors, Mahindra & Mahindra and Maruti Suzuki.

The same month, it also made Michael Richardson president following a brief tenure as interim president and chief operating officer.